I, Rajesh Arora, faced one of the greatest challenges of my life—a Brain Stroke that left me struggling with Speech and Communication. But I refused to let this define me. Instead, I took on a new challenge: riding my motorcycle to the highest road in the world, not just once, but Twice in a Single Day.
As the First Person to ride a motorcycle on the World’s Highest Motorable Road Twice in one day as a Brain Stroke and Aphasia Survivor, I embarked on a journey that was as much about defying the odds as it was about conquering the terrain.
The road to Umling La Pass- Ladakh, standing at an astounding 19,024 feet (5,799 meters), was unforgiving—steep, winding, and perilous. The weather was brutal, with freezing winds and thin, oxygen-poor air making every breath a struggle. Each turn of the road tested my strength and determination. But with every mile I covered, my confidence grew. This journey was more than just a motorcycle ride; it was about proving to myself and to others that I could overcome any obstacle, even after suffering a stroke.
Reaching the top of Umling La Pass for the first time filled me with immense pride. I had conquered one of the toughest challenges known to man. But my journey was far from over. I ventured further, to the last village in the Demchok sector, a region disputed between India and China. Afterward, I descended the treacherous path, only to climb it once more. This second ascent wasn’t just about reaching the summit again; it was about demonstrating that no matter how daunting life’s challenges may be, even in the most extreme conditions, you can push beyond them.
By the end of that day, I had not only reached the top of the world twice but had also shown everyone that a stroke cannot strip away your courage or your willpower. I returned home as more than just a survivor—I became a beacon of hope for other stroke survivors.
My story stands as a powerful reminder: no matter how tough the road, how extreme the conditions, or how insurmountable the odds may seem, you can achieve extraordinary things. To all stroke survivors, know this—your life is not defined by your stroke, but by how you rise above it. I did it, and so can you !
About Rajesh Arora
Until 2016, Rajesh ran his own businesses, and was involved in car rallies, traveling, and adventures. His family and friends described him as a rock star and Tiger. Then, he had a stroke that affected his brain’s left side, leading to a complete loss of speech, memory, and strength on his right side. A sudden and life-altering change left him and his family very frustrated. For almost two years, he could not speak and was highly dependent upon others. But his indomitable spirit prevailed. With very vigorous therapy as well as trying all that he could think of, he has recovered substantially and is now totally independent. He is now on a mission to challenge himself to more achievements and, in the process, inspire other stroke warriors to persevere and recover.
If you have limited/No information about Stroke, its symptoms and consequences, we STRONGLY suggest you read at least one of the following before you leave this Website, as well as share the links with your friends and family. You may save someone from sudden death or being crippled for life !
* Be fast – Stroke Symptoms in English with Videos of Actual Strokes
* स्ट्रोक (आघात) – हिंदी में कुछ जानकारी
* स्ट्रोक-के-साधारण-लक्षण
* In Bengali – Be Fast – দ্রুত !
* In Gujarati – જ્યારે સ્ટ્રોક આવે ત્યારે BE FAST
* In Marathi – BE FAST स्ट्रोक होतो तेव्हा !
* In Odiya – ଷ୍ଟ୍ରୋକ: ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଅଥବା ଶାରୀରିକ/ମାନସିକ ଅସମର୍ଥ