Arav Kumar’s recent graduation with a Bachelor of Nursing represents not only a significant personal achievement but also a testament to resilience and the power of family solidarity. Growing up amid difficult circumstances, Arav balanced his studies while supporting his family through considerable hardships.
His journey took a challenging turn last year when his father, a former security supervisor, suffered a stroke caused by hypertension. This life-changing event altered family dynamics, with his mother stepping up as the primary breadwinner. Despite facing emotional and financial pressures, she found work as a caregiver with Prestige Care and adeptly juggled long working hours alongside her household responsibilities.
Reflecting on their struggles, Arav expressed immense gratitude for his mother’s relentless dedication. “If not for her, I don’t know how we would have survived,” he said. To help relieve some of the burdens from his mother, he took on part-time work during semester breaks, waiting tables and bartending in local restaurants.
This experience imparted vital life lessons. “I realized after my dad’s stroke that nothing comes easy,” Arav explained, acknowledging the harsh realities surrounding illness and financial strain, while emphasizing the significance of perseverance.
Throughout his nursing education, Arav was motivated by a deep desire to care for others, seeking to provide the support he wished he could give his father during their darkest hours. In a hopeful development, his father’s health has shown signs of improvement thanks to effective massage therapy and ongoing medical treatment, marking a hopeful turning point for the family.
“This degree is not just mine,” Arav stated with humility. “It’s my mum’s for working every day without complaining. It’s my dad’s for fighting to get better, and it’s for my little brother, because I want him to know that even when life is hard, you can still make it.”
Arav’s remarkable journey is a powerful reminder of personal triumph and reflects the enduring spirit of family support in overcoming life’s challenges.