Dubai Artist Sharan Budhrani's Golden Visa & Inspiring Book: 'Keep Going, Never Give Up'

Dubai resident Sharan Budhrani, 36, is sharing his journey of living with an incurable muscle weakening disease, muscular dystrophy, and his unwavering commitment to a "powerful breath of life." Since the age of 16, Mr. Budhrani has used a wheelchair and actively combats negative thoughts that he believes "cripple me more than my body ever could." His experiences are chronicled in a book set to be released next week.

Born in the UAE, Mr. Budhrani was among a select group of artists with disabilities to be awarded a 10-year golden visa for his significant cultural contributions to the country. The book, titled 'Chasing Kites,' details his diagnosis at age nine, his struggles with bullying where he was called a "freak" and "alien," and his eventual discovery of passion in art and poetry.

Through his journal entries and verses, Mr. Budhrani captures his fight against depression and his realization of inner strength when he felt he had lost his reason to live. "Mental strength is what I offer others," Mr. Budhrani stated in an interview with The National. "My body is just a vessel. I want people to know I did not give up, I just keep going. Having a disability does not mean I have no dreams."

The book also aims to connect with families who may not have personal experience with disabilities, recounting his refusal to succumb to despair even after facing near-death experiences. "Life sometimes feels unbearable but it’s about trying to overcome limitations and to let people know there is more to life than your physical body," Mr. Budhrani explained. "I like the word determination more than disabled because it allowed me to try to do things that were difficult but not impossible."

Painting became a vital outlet for Mr. Budhrani's creativity after joining an art studio for young adults with disabilities. As his muscles weakened, breathing became a significant challenge, leading to tracheostomy surgery in 2018, which involved inserting a tube into his windpipe to aid breathing and prevent choking. He now uses a speaking device to assist his voice. "As my body, the muscles get weaker, we have to find a way to manage it. It was a very difficult transition after the surgery but with time I got used to it. It’s about trying to find a way through the difficulties, no matter what."

His involvement with Mawaheb, a studio dedicated to empowering young adults with disabilities through art, equipped him with new skills. He engaged in "action art," where volunteers assisted him in pouring paint onto canvases on the floor and using remote-controlled cars to create vibrant artworks. Art provided a sense of balance, with yellow and blue, his favorite colors, symbolizing happiness.

"I honestly believed that we have one chance while we are here on Earth, and since time may be brief, we must make an impression and leave our footprint – in my case, the marks of my wheelchair – to leave a legacy that said I was here and that it was meaningful," Mr. Budhrani writes in his book.

The book also addresses the verbal abuse Mr. Budhrani endured in school and the initial family divisions following his diagnosis, detailing their subsequent healing. Compiled over seven years, Mr. Budhrani shared his story with Dutch resident Margot de Ruiter Hooykaas (writing as Farah Libardee) through typed messages on his phone, voice notes, and interviews. Ms. Hooykaas, who previously volunteered at Mawaheb, believes the book will be used in schools in India to foster conversations about bullying, inclusion, and strength among young children.

The book derives its title from the sense of freedom Mr. Budhrani experiences watching kites soar. "This is a project from my heart. I want to people to know they don’t need to feel pity. Yes, Sharan has huge struggles but he is a great example of how we all should live – with determination," Ms. Hooykaas remarked. She gathered insights from Mr. Budhrani's mother, sister, nurse, and art teacher to enrich the narrative.

Mr. Budhrani's mother, Mansha Budhrani, shared the isolation she felt after his diagnosis and emphasized the importance of open conversations about disability. The family relocated to Dubai from Pune, India, nearly 40 years ago and established a cosmetics and toiletry supply business. "We have bared our soul in this book. I want people to know that they are not alone, we all are together. Each one has their own adversities but we have to find the strength to fight it," said Mansha Budhrani. "Now there is awareness, people talk more so you don't feel quite so isolated. The book is important because Sharan’s words will remain, will live on after we all are gone."

The book launch is scheduled for November 6 at 5:30 pm at the Mawaheb art studio in Dubai.