A Dream That Ignites Into Reality When Given Opportunity
Tshewang Lhamo is 26 years old—a young woman whose life changed in an instant but whose spirit has refused to be broken. Her journey is one of pain, hope, and remarkable resilience.
She was identified through a program initatied by the Bhutan Paralympic Committee—effort to reach out to individuals with physical impairments and offer them the chance to try para-sports. This initiative opened a door for Tshewang that she never imagined would be hers to walk through or roll through, as fate would have it. A spark was lit. A possibility awakened. A dream she thought buried began to flicker again.
Born in Mendrelgang, Tsirang in December 1999, Tshewang came from a loving, decent family. Her father was a Health Assistant, and her mother cared for her and her younger sister with quiet strength. She began her education at Jigmecholing Primary School in Sarpang, and like many children of civil servants, she moved schools several times due to her father’s postings. In 2010, the family moved to Dungtoed, Samtse, a serene, remote village wrapped in thick greenery, far from the conveniences of town life.
She was in fourth grade—a lively, spirited child with a curious mind and a caring heart. Life was simple and joyful. But life, as she would learn too soon, is fragile—its turns sudden and unforgiving.
“It was December 12, 2012. I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was 1:00 PM. My sister had asked me to get her a fruit from a nearby tree. I was only in class four, but I as the elder sister—I loved her dearly. I didn’t think twice. I climbed that tree, about 10 feet high. I wanted to make her happy. I wanted to be helpful. But then… I fell. And everything changed.”
The fall happened just below the BHU where her father worked. That moment fractured more than her body—it split her life into a before and an after.
There were no roads, no electricity. No ambulance would arrive. She lost consciousness. When she awoke nearly thirty minutes later, she couldn’t feel her legs. Panic. Numbness. Fear.
“I told myself: this must be a dream. But I couldn’t move. My legs felt like they didn’t exist.”
Her father and a group of villagers carried her and rushed through forest paths to the nearest hospital in Dorokha. From there, she was referred to Ijgme Dorji Wangchuck National Referal Hospital (JDWNRH) in Thimphu, and three days later, flown to a hospital in Kolkata in India. There, she underwent an eight-hour spinal surgery.
“Everything felt dark. I remember thinking—this is the end. I was only a child, but I could sense that the future I had imagined was slipping away. Depression crept in like a shadow. I cried often. Why me?”
Her journey to recovery was long and painful. She went from a wheelchair to a walker, then to crutches. Yet even after regaining partial mobility, her lower limbs remained impaired.
“After I returned from my treatment, I had to undergo a full year of physiotherapy in 2013 to relearn how to walk. Once I regained my mobility.” For years, she stayed home, withdrawn, her vibrant spirit dimmed. The laughter of the classroom was replaced by silence. Her friends moved on; she felt left behind.
“ I continued my education at Tendruk Central School, where I was fortunate to have access to a Special Educational Needs (SEN) facility that supported my learning. I completed my 12th standard in 2019. After graduating, I stayed home with my parents and tried running a small business. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well as I had hoped, and I eventually had to close it. I then dedicated my time helping out at home and looking after my cousin brothers.”
But fate had paved a new path for her.
One day, she saw videos of Bhutanese para-athletes like Pema Rigel, a para-archer, Chimi Dema, a para-shot putter and Kinley Dem, a para-shooter representing Bhutan at the Paris Paralympic Games, their strength ignited something in her.
“Seeing them changed something in me. I felt a surge of hope. If they could do it… maybe I could too. Deep inside, I had always dreamed of becoming a para-archer. I used to imagine myself holding a bow and representing my country in the international games.
Then came the phone call that would alter the course of her life. The Bhutan Paralympic Committee reached out—inviting individuals with disabilities to take part in para-sports and join the 6th Paralympic Festival in Thimphu.
Her father didn’t hesitate.
“The moment he heard the news, he smiled—really smiled. I hadn’t seen that in a long time. He told me, Let’s go. This could be your path. And just like that, we prepared our bags and traveled from Ugyentse, Samtse, to the capital.”
At the 6th Paralympic festival, she was officially registered with the Bhutan Paralympic Committee. She was introduced to para-archery and invited to begin training with the Bhutan Archery Federation. It was a new beginning—one she embraced with everything she had.
“The cost of my treatment was enormous—something our small country bore with compassion and care. I may never be able to repay it in full, but I promise to give my best. I never imagined becoming a sportswoman. But now, with a bow in my hand and Bhutan in my heart, I feel ready. Ready to aim high—not just for medals, but for every child who thinks their dream has died.”
Tshewang Lhamo’s story isn’t just about recovery—it’s about transformation. A fall may have taken away her ability to walk freely, but it gave her wings of purpose. A dream she once believed was lost was reignited when the Bhutan Paralympic Committee reached out to her. With a single phone call—an initiative that changed everything—she was invited to participate in the 6th Paralympic Festival.Since then, she’s been actively training, turning opportunity into a journey of strength and hope.
