Speaker inspires ResCare youth
Manoj Rana recently spoke to youth at ResCare residential home during the facility's monthly awards ceremony.
Rana, 26, was at Purdue Calumet as part of an exchange program from India when a fire gutted his Hammond apartment on July 2, 2005.
He sustained burns over 95 percent of his body, while three others in the apartment perished.
Rana's pain was so intense that he was kept in a coma for four months. After that, he underwent multiple surgeries to repair his skin and hands. He ended up losing the use of his hands. He also lost toes.
"He came out to speak to the children about not giving up and being able to accomplish your dreams and goals despite the difficult obstacles in your life," said Megan Oblack, ResCare marketing director. "Since his accident he went on to graduate from college with a degree in computer engineering, ran a 5K race and raced in the Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
"He also scored a 700 on his GMAT exam and is currently working on his MBA from IU at IUPUI."
Rana is still attending college classes. At the same time, he is volunteering at Wishard Hospital in the burn unit to help other burn victims cope with their pain and struggles.
"The kids found him very inspiring and several students were moved to tears during his speech," Oblack said.
He spoke both on the main campus and at the Anderson Woods.