By XAVIER SMERDON
A DOCTOR with an inspirational story and a determination to never give up is now providing care for patients in Werribee.
Dr Vishal Sharma was born in India, went to medical school in Russia, where he mastered the local language, did his post graduate studies and practiced his craft in England, before joining the Tarneit Rd Health Clinic in Werribee almost four months ago.
But what makes his story more amazing is that he had one of his legs and one of his arms amputated after he was hit by a truck at just four years of age.
He shies away from praise, however, and instead points the focus towards his colleagues.
“It’s something I don’t really think about and I don’t make excuses about,” Dr Sharma said.
“If you’ve lived with it your whole life you just get over it and do it, you’ve got no other option.
“I never look at compliments I get and think I’m really good, otherwise I would just stop.”
Dr Sharma said that his parents, who still live in India, raised him as a rounded individual.
“My father always told me I could do anything so a lot of credit goes to him,” he said.
“Of course I had to prove myself a lot of the time and I’ve always wanted people to think that I deserve what I have rather than think it’s been given to me.”
Dr Sharma originally studied in Russia because he was unable to enter medical school in India due to his disability.
Family drew him to Wyndham and he is now living in Point Cook, determined to provide the best care possible to his patients.
“I like to do a complete thing for patients so they are not left stranded,” he said.
“It fits into our model and all the doctors here are exactly the same.”
At just 38-years-old Dr Sharma has a promising future ahead of him and he said he is enjoying working for the Tarneit Rd Health Clinic and being part of a vital service in the area.
“Honestly, I’ve not worked in a better environment,” he said.
“When you’ve worked all over the world it makes you realise what you have at your disposal.
“Since I started working here I’ve started enjoying being a doctor again.
“I think all the doctors here want to give the patients the time they need and really try to understand what they are going through.”
Dr Naomi Bronzite and Dr Cees Ferwerda also work at the clinic.
Two new doctors, Dr Krista Craig and Dr Ruthra Nagendran, will be joining the clinic soon.
The Tarneit Road Health Clinic is located at Shop 10, 167-179 Shaws Rd Werribee.
For more information visit www.tarneitroadhealthclinic.com.au
