On the day Girija was born, her mother heard whispers that no parent should ever hear. Neighbours urged her to abandon the newborn child, insisting she would “never be of use.”
But her mother refused. She held her tiny daughter close, choosing to love over fear, and hope over cruelty.
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Nearly three decades later, the world knows Girija not as a burden, but as an artist with extraordinary talent, a young woman fluent in multiple languages, and a spirit that refuses to bend.
Girija was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic condition that causes bones to fracture easily due to a defect in the collagen-producing gene. Without strong collagen, bones become fragile. Many with OI also experience weak muscles, hearing loss, or dental issues. Though the disorder has no cure, physiotherapy, medication, and mobility aids help improve daily life.
For Girija, growing up meant living with the constant risk of injury. Even a small slip could result in a painful fracture. Schools and colleges turned her away, afraid of the responsibility. The rejections were painful, yet they shaped her resilience.
“People doubted my ability to learn,” she says. “So, I decided to teach myself.”
And she did exactly that. With determination as her guide, Girija taught herself five languages, proving that the mind has no limitations when the heart refuses to give up.
Girija’s mother had always dreamed of pursuing art but never had the chance. Instead, she passed that love to her daughter. For a child whose bones could break so easily, art became a space where she felt strong. Colours, clay, and yarn gave her freedom.
Over time, she explored multiple crafts, crochet, clay earrings, kundan jewellery and each piece reflected not only her creativity, but her journey.
In 2020, Girija lost her best friend, the person who supported her the most. Grief changed her deeply, but it also sparked a new purpose. That same year, she launched her brand, “Girija – Magic in Little Hands,” featuring handmade clay and kundan jewellery along with intricate crochet work.
Her creations began reaching customers quickly. Every sale was more than income, it was a reminder that she could build her own path, fund her treatments, and stand on her own feet despite every challenge.
Fragile bones, unbreakable spirit. OI means that fractures may happen at any time, sometimes without warning. But Girija has never allowed her condition to define her.
“Some people say my disability is a sin. Some won’t even say my name,” she shares. “But my name means ‘born of the mountains’. And like the mountains, I rise.”
She rises after every fracture. She rises after every cruel comment. She rises through every piece of jewellery shaped gracefully by her hands.
At 29, Girija is not just an artist, her message to others is simple yet profound: “Don’t give up on yourself. With self-confidence, you can create your destiny.”
In a world that once whispered that she wouldn’t survive, Girija has built a voice, a brand, and a legacy. Indeed, an inspiration to all!
Source / Image Credit : The Better India
