Coimbatore’s Radhika J A was diagnosed with brittle bone disease at a young age. As a result, she was forced to drop out of school after lower kindergarten.

By the time she was 12, she had undergone seven surgeries in total.

“I started living in fear that even if I walk, I may break a bone. I stopped walking. I used to sit all day on my bed,” she says.

Without a schedule like other children her age, Radhika developed an inclination towards art.

“At 14, I started drawing and painting. I’d watch MAD (a children’s TV programme) and feel inspired to replicate those crafts. This made my life a little intriguing.”

Today, the 25-year-old upcycles old newspapers to make unique and intricate dolls — from caricatures of newlywed couples to musicians with sitars and medical professionals in white coats.

“When I am focused on rolling the newspaper and shaping and painting dolls, I forget about my disease,” she says.

With her pocket money of Rs 200, she bought fresh colours and started turning her hobby into a business.

Recalling the journey, she says her brother’s friend offered to display her dolls at his stall.

“On the first day, I gave him five dolls. The next day, he asked to send five more. Later, he asked me to make 15 more dolls. Within a week, we sold 25 dolls priced at Rs 150 each.”

In 2018, she started selling dolls through Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. “My skills have evolved with customising new dolls as per customer requirements. From regular African dolls, my collection has expanded to family dolls, couple dolls, etc,” she adds.

Today, Radhika’s customers come not only from across India but also from countries like the USA, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.

“I cannot travel anywhere to an event without someone’s help. But today, my dolls have travelled to more than 24 states of the country and 10 countries across the world," Radhika says.

“I hope other girls going through a similar phase believe in themselves. Because if I can do it, so can they,” she notes.