The Boy Who Sees The World Upside Down is an inspiring documentary film released in 2016. It tells the story of Mahendra Ahirwar, a young boy from India who was born with a rare genetic disorder, known as congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA). CIPA is a medical condition that results in the inability to feel pain, heat or cold sensations, and sweat. It is an extremely rare disease that affects only a few hundred people worldwide. Mahendra was one of them, and as a result of his condition, his neck muscles were weak, and he could not hold his head upright. His head hung back, causing him to view the world upside down all his life.
The movie showcases Mahendra's life and brings forth the struggles he faced throughout his life. The film makers created a blend of Mahendra's story and the medical condition; they made the movie both emotional and educational.
The documentary introduces the audience to Mahendra's family, who reside in a small rural village in India. His parents are farmers who initially had no idea about Mahendra's medical condition. However, they soon discovered that their beloved child was different from other kids when he began to show an unusual lack of response to pain.
The story then follows Mahendra's determined spirit as he grows up facing different challenges due to his condition. The documentary highlights how Mahendra taught himself to read and write upside down, just as he viewed the world. It was impressive to see how he developed his own way of maneuvering the world upside down, even when he is walking.
Mahendra's story gained traction on social media, and it caught the attention of Sophie Black, an Australian photojournalist who decided to follow his journey, document his story, and bring awareness to his medical condition.
Sophie Black helped Mahendra, and his family to seek medical attention for a life-changing surgery in New Delhi. The medical procedure aimed to improve Mahendra's neck muscles, allowing him to hold his head upright and view the world as others do.
The documentary shows how Mahendra goes through surgery, recovers and slowly begins to move his head in a straight position for the first time in his life. The medical attention Mahendra received, improved his condition to a point where he could feel his body's movements and sensations; some of the milestone moments were instances of feeling the warmth of the sun and the coolness of a fan.
The film goes further to display Mahendra's incredible resilience and his adjusted view of the world. He adapted to the newly perceived world, but the way he saw it made him unique. The movie closes with an optimistic perspective on life with encouragement for empathy, togetherness and unrelenting spirit.
Overall, The Boy Who Sees The World Upside Down is an emotional, factual and moving narrative that leaves a message of hope and encouragement. It showcases how medical conditions can affect people's lives, but a little bit of support can go a long way towards achieving a better life. The movie is recommended for anyone interested in human-interest stories about perseverance, medical advancements and the beauty that lies within diversity.
