Michigan-based motivational speaker changes lives after surviving bomb blast

METRO DETROIT (WXYZ) — After surviving a bomb blast, a Michigan-based motivational speaker has a simple but powerful message for everyone: No matter what life throws at you, never give up.

Dr. Malvika Iyer moved to Michigan from India in 2018. The 35-year-old holds a doctorate in social work. And in addition to being a passionate artist and dancer, she is also a proud daughter, sister and wife.

“I love taking care of my house, I love doing dishes, laundry, taking care of my cats, making my husband’s coffee first thing in the morning, I love doing all that,” Dr. Iyer said.

However, Dr. Iyer’s greatest strength lies in his role as a motivational speaker and disability rights advocate.

“I like to use the language of the person, so I am a disabled person and not a disabled person, because when you see a disabled person, you see them first. You see what they are, what they like “, » says Dr. Iyer.

Dr. Iyer was 13 years old when she lost both her hands in a tragic accident in Rajasthan, India.

“I definitely would have died that day,” Dr. Iyer said.

“What happened that day?” I asked him.

“May 26, 2002 is the date or even time of the accident, I know 1:10 p.m. because the accident happened in my room and the clock stopped,” Dr Iyer said.

Dr. Iyer remembers looking for a hammer to complete his artwork. The search took her outside, where she came across a rock-like object.

“It looked heavy, it looked good, and I thought it would do the trick, so I came over, hit it, and it exploded.” said Dr. Iyer.

Dr Iyer learned that it was a partially exploded hand grenade from a nearby munitions depot.

“As soon as it exploded, I lost my hands, nothing could be saved. The worst happened to my legs, multiple fractures, nerve paralysis, loss of sensation, and I spent the next two years pinned in bed. In a split second, I lost everything,” said Dr. Iyer.

And that was just the beginning of his pain and suffering.

“I still remember the first time I cried bitterly after my accident, it wasn’t because of the loss of my hands or the pain I was experiencing, it was because my very close neighbor said to my mother that now your daughter had become a liability for you,” says Dr. Iyer

It was at that moment that she had to make a choice.

“Not everyone gets a second chance at life,” Dr. Iyer said.

Since then, Dr. Iyer has been on a mission to share his story of courage and determination, inspiring millions to forget their limitations and face the world with confidence and hope.

“I received the award from the President of India, I was able to speak at the UN, I was able to speak at the World Economic Forum, I was able to do a doctorate, I was able to stand on the crawls as a star”, » says Dr. Iyer.

“When you hear people come up to you and thank you for sharing your story, you changed our lives. Does that change your life?” I asked.

“It’s very hard to live in this body. When someone comes and tells me that I changed because of you, or that I decided not to give up because of you, I take that as the goal of my life, and that’s what keeps me going.” while going,” » says Dr. Iyer.