- 13 May, 2025
May 13, 2025
In a world that often defines people by their limitations, Frederika Menezes has quietly and powerfully rewritten the script. Born in Panjim, Goa, in 1979 and diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant, Frederika defied odds and expectations to become an acclaimed author, poet, and digital artist and an enduring symbol of courage. Best known for her young adult love story Unforgotten, she continues to win hearts with every word, brushstroke, and smile of hers.
A Childhood Filled With Laughter and Friendship
Frederika pursued her schooling at People's High School, Panjim. Unlike many with disabilities who recall a sense of isolation, Frederika remembers her childhood with joy.
“Everyone at school included me in their lives, especially my friends,” she says.
Additionally, a childhood friend next door ensured that her early years were packed with playful mischief, reminding us that disability doesn’t define childhood—it merely reshapes it.
The Birth of a Writer
Frederika’s journey into the world of writing began in school. Encouraged by a teacher to write poetry for a class project, she discovered a passion that would shape her future. “That was the spark,” she recalls. It wasn’t just a fleeting hobby—it was the foundation of a powerful career in storytelling.
Frederika’s debut book, The Portrait, published in 1998, was a poetic exploration that went on to receive praise from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, then President of India.
"I felt honoured," she says while recalling her 2008 meeting with the late president — an encounter that greatly boosted her confidence and affirmed her literary journey.
Frederika’s other literary works include The Pepperns and Wars of the Mind (a fantasy novel published in 2003), Stories in Rhyme (a collection of children’s verse released in 2014), and Miguel (a novel about friendship, love, and life, published in 2021).
Art on a Tablet, Heart on the Canvas
Apart from writing, Frederika also likes to play with colours. She is a digital artist who paints using just one finger on a tablet, smartphone or PC. Her works, like The Grieving Madonna, Tourada, and Mother Sea, showcase a unique blend of emotional intensity and visual storytelling. Each piece is more than a picture—it’s a testament to her determination to express herself in every medium available
Faith, Family, and Fierce Optimism
A devout Catholic, faith forms a cornerstone of Frederika’s resilience. "I read the Holy Bible every day and love it,” she shares, adding that her deep belief gives her strength and serenity. “I know I'm never let down. I'm just a different normal,” she says confidently.
Though she no longer physically attends Church, she participates in online Masses with her mother and receives Communion brought to her at home. Her unshakeable spirituality provides the inner peace and strength that have carried her through life’s challenges.
Love—In Fiction and in Life
Known for writing tender love stories, Frederika admits that her own experiences with love have been complicated. “Yes, I have fallen in love many times, but it's always one-sided. Our society is very narrow-minded in this sense,” she says, hinting at the societal biases people with disabilities often face.
When asked about her next book, Frederika offers a mysterious grin and a cryptic tease: “That’s a secret… I’ll just say that it’s fiction.”
Accolades and Applause: A Life Recognised
In 2016, Frederika was awarded the prestigious Yuva Srujan Puraskar Award for Literature. She was also felicitated by members of the Samraat Club, Panjim, on International Women’s Day 2019. That same year, she served as the Chief Guest at the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association exhibition and was appointed North Goa’s "Disability Voting Icon" by the Election Commission. Her TEDxPanaji talk on optimism and determination remains one of her most memorable public appearances.
Words of Wisdom: For Dreamers with Disabilities
To young creative people, especially those with disabilities, Frederika offers a rallying cry of hope: “The world is your oyster. The sky's the limit. If you have a dream, go achieve it!. Believe you can, and you will.”
Frederika Menezes: A Legacy of Light and Letters
Frederika Menezes is not just an author, a poet, or an artist. She is a pioneer of possibility, proof that physical constraints are no match for a limitless soul. Her story is not one of overcoming a disability—it’s one of embracing a unique path with grace, grit, and an unwavering glow.
As she puts it best: “I'm just a different normal.”
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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