Crippled neck to toe, he still loves life

A freak accident in Goa 10 years ago left him paralysed from neck to toe. But it did not stop Girish Gogia from living life to the hilt.

An interior designer by profession, Gogia, 40, continues to work despite his disability. His many projects include conceptualising colour schemes for the renovation of Mumbai Central and Churchgate railway stations.

“The disability was in my body, not in my mind. So, I kept on taking projects,” said an upbeat Gogia, who lives in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (West).

In 2000, he had been to Goa to celebrate the New Year with friends. An ocean diver and a swimmer, Gogia’s judgement went awry when he dived into a shallow patch at the Calangute beach.

He hit the sand bed hard and injured his spinal cord. “Instantly, I was paralysed. I would have drowned, but a European tourist saw me and saved my life,” he said.

It was Gogia’s never-say-die attitude that helped him and his family to cope with his severe disability. “My parents, my sisters and my wife have always stood by me,” Gogia said. He has three attendants assisting him 24x7. He needs help in taking a shower, wearing clothes, eating, etc.

Whenever Gogia gets a project, he first conceptualises a plan. He then appoints a team of 50-60 people, which helps him in putting his thoughts on paper. Once the drawings are done, Gogia makes a presentation for the client. “If my plan is approved, I appoint contracting agencies to carry out the work,” Gogia said. He himself visits the project site at least twice a week.

Apart from Mumbai Central and Churchgate railway stations, Gogia has designed a diamond studio for Meerah Jewels in MIDC and a 3BHK flat in Lokhandwala Complex. He has also designed the entrance lobby of the building he stays in — Denzil apartments.

Fond of period concepts, he has done up his office on the lines of Roman architecture. “During my visit to Italy I fell in love with the Roman architecture, and decided to get into interior designing,” Gogia said.

He has been in the profession for the past 17 years, his civil engineering background helping him flourish.

Gogia’s life suffered another setback four years ago. His wife, Eesha, got paralysed from waist down due to multiple sclerosis, a disease of the brain and spinal cord. “Both of us have been victims, but instead of thinking of the misery, we pay attention to the beauty of being alive,” Gogia said. “I see people giving up hope so easily. I will be happy if my example can be of use to them. I have lost everything, yet nothing.”