Preethi Srinivasan
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Preethi Srinivasan (born 1979)[1] was the captain of the under-19 Tamil Nadu women's cricket team,[2] and led the state team to the national championships in 1997 at the age of 18. After surviving an accident that left her quadriplegic,[3] she co-founded Soulfree, a foundation that champions the causes of restoring, rehabilitating, and re-integrating those with spinal cord injuries and spreads awareness on its prevention among Indian youth.[4]
She was also a title-holder swimmer, having won a state gold in 50 m breaststroke and silver in other events.[5] After her spinal cord injury she often delivers talks on disability issues.[6]
Preethi graduated from Upper Merion Area High School, Pennsylvania, US, in 1997 and was awarded the academic honours for outstanding accomplishment and excellence in academics for year 1996/97 along with other recognitions. In class 12, she was among United States of America's top 2 percent merit students and was awarded representation with Who's Who Among American high school students.[citation needed] Due to her father's transferable job, Preethi got the opportunity to extensively travel and learn about different cultures/traditions.[citation needed]
After her accident, she took up a bachelor correspondence course in medical sociology from the University of Madras. She also holds interest in music, art, films, and literature. She considers her mother, Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Srinivasan, a constant source of encouragement and backing.[7]
Career
Preethi's charitable organization, Soulfree, was founded with the aim of "transforming the lives of persons with disabilities".[8]