Mahesh Deshpande's life in Kolhapur took a tragic turn in 1990, when like any ordinary child he climbed on an overhead tank to claim a kite entangled on an electric pole. As he tried to grab the kite he unwittingly touched one of the high voltage wires and got such an electric shock that he became unconscious and hung precariously from the wires. Fortunately, he did not lose his life and was rushed to hospital.

On examining him the doctors reached the conclusion that both his arms and legs had to be amputated in order to save his life. Mahesh was transformed from a sprightly boy into a lump of bones and flesh with only the head and the trunk. At this dark hour stepped in Naseema Huzruk, a person confined to wheelchair. She turned his mother from an inconsolable person to a courageous guide and mentor for her son. Huzruk had admitted Mahesh to All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehab (AIIPMR) at Bombay and provided the money for special artificial limbs. During the next seven and half months Mahesh underwent treatment by a team of doctors, occupational therapists and others to put him literally on his feet so that he would not face any problem in his native Kolhapur. He passed his SSC in 1992 with 77.28% and his goal is to obtain MA degree with the assistance of his classmates, teachers and others in the school.