Meet KA Advaith, a young man, hailing from the heart of Telangana, India. Like his favored sport, swimming, his life’s journey has echoed the ebb and flow of waters, at times tumultuous, but at others, serene and calm.
Advaith’s early life wasn’t easy. His mother’s challenging pregnancy followed by his own developmental delays and meningitis left him facing an uphill climb. Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mild intellectual disability, the odds seemed stacked against him. But his mother, a teacher, refused to let societal perceptions define him. Enrolling him in a mainstream school, she set him on a different course, determined to nurture his unique strengths.
While writing wasn’t his forte, Advaith, whose name means unique in Sanskrit, found different ways of expressing himself. Impressively, he could flawlessly chant a hundred Sanskrit verses. However, his raw talent as a swimmer was unleashed when his coach, Rama Rao, spotted his potential. Here in the calm waters of the swimming pool, he excelled in the rhythm of strokes, a language he grasped perfectly.
Under the mentorship of his coach, Advaith found solace and strength in swimming and his self-esteem grew from strength to strength as he deep-dived into the sport.
As his mother, Indira K Ashok said “Winning a silver medal at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi was a huge accomplishment, but the true reward has been witnessing his growth. As parents we have learnt from Advaith too, his clear thoughts, his affection.”
She continued, “It’s overwhelming to see him growing so confident. Earlier too we went out of our way for Advaith but kept wondering whether what we were doing was right, we were unsure. Special Olympics gave us hope.”
Advaith has since extended his sporting success to the workplace where he successfully landed a job at ADP as a process associate in Captiva Garnishments. In his role, he processes checks and identifies reasons for the non-payment of debts.
The young man’s speech at the ADP HR Summit, where he had shared his story with a global audience played a pivotal role in his hiring, as he spoke confidently and captivated listeners with his powerful journey and raw honesty.
“For me Special Olympics has been nothing short of being transformative. The Athlete oath describes the very spirit of how we achieve excellence,” said Advaith excitedly. “I am proud to be associated with ADP technologies, a company that has accepted me whole-heartedly with my different abilities. I wouldn’t have reached here without the support of my father, mentors, grandma and my backbone, my mom,” he continued.
Citing Advaith’s story, Dipak Natali, Regional President and Managing Director, Special Olympics Asia Pacific, applauded progressive employers like ADP, even as he acknowledges that the road to inclusion continues to be an uphill one, requiring a whole-of-society commitment.
“A truly inclusive workplace is one where People with Intellectual Disabilities (PWIDs) are able to learn, thrive, and be respected. Embracing diversity isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s the catalyst for innovation and creativity in workplaces, and a brighter, more inclusive future for all,” he stressed.
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