Pune: With unwavering willpower, Bhagyashree Mazire has overcome her disability and carved a successful path in sports and professional life. Born with a spinal tumor that required immediate surgery, she lost sensation below the waist and became permanently dependent on a wheelchair. However, she never let her physical limitations define her future.
Bhagyashree, originally from Pune, underwent multiple surgeries during her childhood. One operation corrected a deformity in her feet, but the condition recurred, leaving her parents in despair.
A turning point in her life came when her father read about Dr. Naseema Hurzuk and the Helpers of the Handicapped organization in Kolhapur. The article emphasized how paraplegic individuals could lead fulfilling lives. He reached out to Dr. Hurzuk, and Bhagyashree was soon admitted to the organization’s residential facility, where she gained exposure to education and extracurricular activities.
Despite her disability, Bhagyashree thrived in para sports. She participated in shot put and discus throw events, earning recognition at various levels. Her achievements include:
Winning two medals at the National Special Olympics Championship in Chennai
Participating three times in the National Para Athletics Championship
Selection for an international event in China (but unable to attend due to passport issues)
Academic and Professional Success
Bhagyashree pursued higher education and successfully completed her B.Com and M.Com degrees with distinction. However, her journey did not stop there.
Discovering Wheelchair Basketball
After another surgery, while recuperating in Pune, she discovered Pune Riders Wheelchair Basketball. The sport became a transformative force in her life, boosting her mental strength, physical fitness, and self-confidence.
Currently, Bhagyashree is:
An active participant in Decathlon’s Paralympic awareness programs
Employed at Allstate Insurance Company
Training to achieve greater success in wheelchair basketball and para athletics
Bhagyashree’s goal is to represent India in international para sports and inspire others with disabilities to pursue athletics. "Whenever I meet a differently-abled person, I encourage them to take up sports. I believe financial independence and self-reliance are crucial for everyone," she says.