“I was born with Strabismus (crossed eye) which means my eyes don’t look in the same direction at the same time. In a classroom full of kids who all see things the same way, I was the one who saw the world differently. Living with this, especially with alternating squint, made school challenging. My self-confidence took a hit, and making eye contact became tough. Ever felt like the odd one out? That was me, constantly feeling a bit lost and craving personal space.

Strabismus isn’t all bad, but society has a way of making you feel different. Over time, though, I learned to accept it, and that became my superpower. Embracing my uniqueness, I realized that perfection is overrated. I strive to do my best in everything and look for positive outcomes.

My education was cut short at class 8 due to family circumstances. But life had other plans for me. For nearly 13 years, I’ve been crafting and selling stone bracelets and chains. I started before my sister’s wedding, took a break, and then got back into it, finding a purpose beyond household chores. Every six months, we travel to cities like Hyderabad, Jaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai to collect stones, which we turn into beautiful pieces and sell by the beaches in our hometown, Gokarna.

Not every day is easy, but I’ve learned to roll with the punches. Interacting with different people feels natural to me, thanks to growing up with five siblings. Life is a roller coaster with its ups and downs, but giving up isn’t in my nature. We all have a purpose, and I’m moving towards mine with hope and perseverance.”

• Maria, street vendor