I met Anuj first in our Lakshadweep trip last week. Initially, when he spoke louder than what we consider normal, I wondered why. You see Anuj has Wilson’s Disease. A very rare genetic disorder, it affects muscle movements, speech, physical coordination and more. For life. It has no cure. Anuj & his family realized he had it when he was 14 years old. Over the next few years, his muscle coordination stuttered, he would drool a lot while speaking.

I wonder what such diseases do a person’s confidence. I wonder how I’d feel if I had it. I fear that my self worth would take a beating. When I asked Anuj, he said “It’s something I have to live with. I’m okay with it. I feel privileged that my family could afford the costly medicines every month.” As he spoke, there was no hint of self pity or sad emotion in his voice. He said it pleasantly. My respect for him increased so much when he said that.

He runs two businesses, and is doing well. This year, Anuj has done 10 trips already. This was his 1st with us. He did snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking & every time I asked him to join me in any activity, joke, adventure, he was always game. Every time I crack a joke, I’d look at him and wink, and both of us would guffaw with laughter.

When I asked him about the trips he had done before, he named Chadar Trek too. Chadar Trek is a 8-9 days snow trek in Ladakh where you walk over a frozen river in minus 30 degree temperatures.

I feel so happy that he’s living life on his own terms, and doing it so gracefully, so positively, so pleasantly, without making any show or fuss about it. Could I even be half as positive, if I had Wilson’s Disease.

We stayed back an extra day and spoke for a long time last night. As we bade goodbye to each other and I picked up my bags, he rushed & picked up my shoes to put it in the cab. A wave of affection ran through my being, and I hugged him hard. I knew in that moment, that he was a younger brother for life.

Anuj, I meet a lot of people on trips. I hear too many people calling me positive. Truth be told, I’m just a lucky idiot. Truth be told, your positivity, the way you approach life is super inspiring. I love you bhai.