Struggling to breathe, Ishaan completed his exam

Due to a rare genetic condition, Tuberous Sclerosis, his spine and elbows would go slack when under prolonged stress. His mother and special educator were present to provide physical support to him.

Mumbai: The night before his chemistry exam, Ishaan Vivrekar could not breathe properly. Due to a rare genetic condition, Tuberous Sclerosis, his spine and elbows would go slack when under prolonged stress. His mother and special educator were present to provide physical support to him.

Ishaan Vivrekar of Fr. Agnel Multipurpose School & Junior College, a student with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Autism Spectrum, scores 63.83% in the HSC board exam. (BACHCHAN KUMAR / HT PHOTO)

“At the exam hall, he had difficulty breathing, so we thought of letting him miss the exam. However, he got up and walked to the window and wrote the exam standing in front of it,” said his mother, Namita. “Towards the end I felt as though I may collapse.”

Ishaan, a student of Father Agnel Junior College, scored 63.83% in his HSC board exams. A feat for someone who has been beset with medical issues. His condition, which has no proper treatment in the country, left him non-verbal since birth and affected his fine motor skills.

After catching COVID during the Omicron wave, his lungs function at 50%. He spent the majority of his 12th grade studying from home with recordings sent by his teachers. He is also on the autism spectrum.