"Dancing is my medicine," said Ashwathi Subramanian, a Bharatanatyam dancer living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). At 26, her life took a drastic turn with the diagnosis of ALS 12, a rare form of the disease. For seven long years, she put her passion for dancing on hold as her body slowly deteriorated with the progression of the illness. She was ready to give up on life. When asked about her last wish, she didn’t hesitate. “I want to dance,” she said. Despite being in hospice care with no cure in sight, Ashwathi found new meaning in her life through the art of dance. When she returned to the stage, she was surprised—her body remembered every move, every beat, every expression. After years of darkness, she found light again in her movement. Dance gave her a reason to keep going. Today, Ashwathi dances for a living, cherishing every single moment on stage. She says, "If I stopped physiotherapy, I would be okay. But if I stopped dancing, I would collapse." Dance is not just an activity for her—it’s a lifeline, a therapy, and a way to reclaim the control ALS had taken away. She made a spontaneous decision at the Global Zero Project India Conference '24. Rolling up in her wheelchair, she borrowed a traditional Bharatanatyam costume and asked if she could perform. To the song "Zero Barriers," she danced with grace and strength, leaving the entire audience teary-eyed and inspired. Her story reminds us all that art isn’t just a form of expression—it’s a source of healing, especially for those living with disabilities. Ashwathi’s journey is proof that even when life places unimaginable barriers before us, passion and art have the power to break through. #DancingThroughLife #ALSWarrior #Bharatnatyam #ArtHeals #ZeroBarriers #Inspiration #DisabilityAndArts #Resilience #ZeroProjectIndia #NeverGiveUp #LivingWithPurpose #Youth4jobs Zero Project Axis Bank Foundation The Hans Foundation Michael Fembek Martin Essl Anja Günther Sangita Thakur Meera Shenoy Anna Königseder Shriya Sethi
You are very inspiring Ashwathy. The steps are very graceful and very expressive. Your inclination towards art deeply surprises me. Please never stop dancing.
Superb.
One of my personal highlights! Thank you Ashwathi Subramanian for sharing your story and wonderful dance with us.
Thank you for your inspiration.
Accessibility Audit Expert I Disability Inclusion Specialist I Expert Strategic Communications, Content & Brand I Helping organizations align Disability Inclusion with CSR & ESG I Social Entrepreneur
1moWe loved every minute of her performance but more so her spirt, confidence and articulate summary of her life.