Left on a ventilator to die at birth, she survived abuse and loss. At 28, what she found teaches how to rebuild your life

At birth, doctors did not expect her to survive. She was left on a ventilator and abandoned by her biological parents. But a family from Kanpur chose otherwise. They adopted her, raised her with care, and gave her a sense of belonging that many never find. That early act of love became the foundation of Shyamli’s life — even though the years that followed would test her resilience in ways she could not have imagined.

According to a story shared by Humans of Bombay on Instagram, Shyamli spent her early childhood in a home that felt secure and nurturing. That stability ended when she was six years old, after her adoptive father died of cancer. Her mother was suddenly widowed, vulnerable, and left to navigate life alone. Relatives soon moved into their home, and with them came an environment that was no longer safe.

Growing up amid fear and silence

Behind closed doors, Shyamli witnessed and experienced abuse, violence and harassment. The house she once associated with comfort turned into a place she wanted to escape from. Outwardly, she remained the student teachers admired — disciplined, well-behaved and high-performing. Inwardly, fear began to shape her everyday life.


Living under constant stress affected her ability to focus. Her academic performance started slipping, and the change went unnoticed. No one asked what had gone wrong or why a once-bright student was struggling. At 17, the pressure and trauma culminated in her failing her Class 12 board examinations.

That same year, she cleared her exams through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). More importantly, she made a difficult decision to distance herself from the people who had caused her harm. Cutting ties was painful and isolating, but she believed survival depended on choosing herself. She took a year off to regroup and prepare for entrance exams.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Humans of Bombay (@officialhumansofbombay)

Finding freedom far from home

In 2017, Shyamli secured admission to NIFT Srinagar. Moving to Kashmir marked a turning point. Being away from her past gave her space to breathe, reflect and begin healing. The distance allowed her to experience freedom for the first time and rebuild her sense of identity beyond fear.

However, healing was not linear. During the pandemic, unresolved trauma resurfaced as depression, anxiety and panic attacks. These struggles followed her into adulthood, affecting her career and personal relationships. She began working in 2022, but emotional wounds made it difficult to set boundaries. She stayed in unhealthy environments, believing that mistreatment was all she deserved.

Redefining success at 28

Today, at 28, Shyamli describes herself as a solo traveller who is rebuilding life step by step. She admits there are moments of comparison, especially when she sees peers achieving traditional milestones faster. But her definition of success has changed. For her, fulfilment lies in travel, independence and choosing peace over validation.

As shared by Humans of Bombay, Shyamli now sees healing as an ongoing process. Standing alone in new places, breathing ocean air, and learning to prioritise herself have become markers of growth. She shares her story so other women know that walking away from harm is allowed — and that success does not have to look the same for everyone.