Dr. Chand Khanna: A Story Of Courage
It may be the greatest par in the 600-year history of golf at St Andrew’s.
On Friday, July 22nd, 2016, Chand Khanna made par on St. Andrew’s historic 18th hole getting up and down from the Valley of Sin. The journey to this 10 footer is a story of a courageous man, his family and their collective ability to push through an unplanned challenge.
Two and a half years ago on February 28th, 2014, at the age of 46, Chand suffered a stroke following a ski accident two weeks prior. He suffered a second stroke a few days later. The strokes have left him with limited use of the left side of his body, but full use of his mind.
There were many moments in the hours, days and weeks following the strokes that left those of us who love Chand fearing for his immediate and long-term future. Would he survive? How bad was the damage? Would he have to use a wheelchair? Would he return to a normal life?
During his time in the intensive care unit, the rehabilitation centre and in the early days of his return to life at home, Chand endured significant challenges in his quest to recover. He has gone through hundreds of hours of physical therapy, relearning basic movements, developing new ones and strengthening his body. All in the name of returning to life as it use to be – when many said he couldn’t.
Before the accident walking 100 meters would take 40 seconds. Now, this same task, may take a few minutes. Packing up a hotel room for many of us takes five minutes. Chand allots one hour for this. Travelling, whether by car, train or plane, requires complexities that none of us worry about day-to-day. Now these complexities are part of Chand’s daily routine.
His determination to not let these challenges get in the way of the life he plans to lead is what sets him apart from others. Even more incredible considering that it was suggested early on that he be prepared to use a wheelchair and that his cognitive abilities had been compromised. In both instances, Chand was clear, “no thank you” and “I don’t believe that to be the case”.
I had several conversations with Chand about the cognitive rehabilitation therapists telling him he was not doing well on certain tests as he recovered. They believed that the stroke had left him compromised. Chand kept telling them that was how his brain worked before the stroke. He was right, they were wrong – Chand just thinks differently and there is no doubt that this played a role in his recovery.
In many ways, the return to playing golf is a metaphor for his return to regular life. Chand is back to driving kids to gymnastics and hockey tournaments; travelling extensively in order to share the gifts he has developed over the course of his career; and exploring the world with his amazing family.
But let’s get back to the putt. What brought him to St. Andrew’s? Well before the stroke, Chand and some friends hatched a plan to play the great courses in Scotland in the summer of 2016. Following the stroke many of us believed that it would not be possible for Chand to play golf again, let alone play nine rounds in eight days on another continent. But Chand made it clear from day one he had every intention of playing golf in Scotland. He knew it would simply take some work. First a few steps, then a few pushups, play one hole, walk a bit further, then 9…. every hour, every day, every week, he pushed himself – not just to play golf, but to return to form as a husband, father and elite cancer scientist.
From a physical standpoint, the capstone of this recovery may have taken place at a golf course whose antiquated rules provided the ultimate test for Chand.
On the tour one of the courses would not allow carts on the course so Chand had to walk the entire 18 holes. One step two years ago, then 20 feet, next around the block, all building to a six mile, hilly walk that many in our group found challenging. I was fortunate enough to be partnered with him that day and I can tell you that it was the most inspirational moment I have experienced in sport.
The question one must ask is, “How was he able to do this in the face of such adversity?”
Chand is an accomplished scientist and businessman, with multiple degrees. He sets clear goals, has a vision, is incredibly disciplined and is positively stubborn. His parents, wife and key mentors in life are responsible for much of this and, in many ways, provided him with the wiring and skills to accomplish what he has over the past two and a half years. But there is also something deep within his soul that contributed to his successful recovery. I believe it is something called Sisu.
… extraordinary determination, courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity. An action mindset which enables individuals to reach beyond their present limitations, take action against all odds and transform barriers into frontiers.
Read more here: SISU. Ironically, Chand’s stroke occurred on February 28th, the international day of SISU…..
Chand thought I was asking a stupid question when I asked him how he mustered up the courage to take on the daily challenges of physical rehabilitation and the reality of functioning in a different way day-to-day, “This is just what I had to do. I am sure this is how anyone else would have gone about it,” he said.
No Chand, they wouldn’t have.
I like lists, so here is a list of what Chand says were the keys to his recovery:
- Marry well – Chand’s wife, Kristen, has exhibited as much courage as Chand through this chapter in their life and Chand’s kids have supported his ambitious approach to life and are his inspiration. His kids expect as much of him as Chand expects from himself, in large part because of the climate Chand and Kristen have created. They all believe that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. And Kristen is the rock that allows his ambitions to flourish. Another way to look at this is to ensure you surround yourself with the very best people during difficult times.
- Don’t listen to your doctors (all of the time….) – Sometimes, experts get in the way of ambition. This happens beyond medicine, but I witnessed on several occasions Chand not really accepting a doctor’s perspective, all in the name of controlling his own destiny. Perhaps this was because their perspectives were based on average outcomes. Chand’s plan for recovery did not fit into the average category.
- Set short-term goals – Walk six feet, do five pushups, workout everyday, play golf at St. Andrew’s, shoot par, walk a full 18 holes…. Setting targets allowed Chand not to get overwhelmed by the long-term recovery, which is ongoing.
Personally, I believe the most amazing part of this story is the lack of self-indulgent or completely understandable moments of self-pity or anger. Not once since February 28th, 2014, have I witnessed Chand having a “woe is me” moment. In large part, this has allowed him to stay 100% focused on the goal of a full recovery. We can all learn from this. Stay focused. Don’t let pity get in the way of being courageous. Pity is the roadblock that inhibits our ambitions during difficult times.
This is just another challenge in Chand’s life. Another “A Star” accomplishment. Another opportunity to show the world who you are and what you are made of. Routine for a man with so much courage, super-human for those of us who have less.
