Priyanka Dewan was only eight years old when she picked up a pair of roller skates at her mother’s suggestion.
What started as a hobby soon turned into a passion and the 20-year-old is now an international roller skating champion.
In 2019 she won three medals – gold, silver and bronze – at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.
She says life has been hard for her. She was born with an intellectual disability and endured a lot of bullying during her childhood.
Nevertheless, she is grateful for her mother’s support and urges everyone to “support children with disabilities”.
“The only difference is that people called us ‘special’,” she adds. “But we are like others.”
This video is part of the second edition of the BBC India Sportswoman of the Year. Click here to find out more about the nominees and vote for your favorite athletes.
Reporter: Vandana Vijay
Editors: Neha Sharma and Shubham Koul
