By Dr Carolin George | Head, Community Health Division
Dear friends,
Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital Society.
Sometimes, in our lives, when unexpected good events occur, the joy knows no bounds. We express our gratitude to God for these magical moments. People with disabilities also dream of such moments in their lives. So, dear friends, you play a pivotal role in creating these magical moments in their lives. This report takes you through a few of these moments. Thank you for all your support.
Gentle footfalls
Krishna's mother walked into our centre, visibly out of breath, carrying chubby and cuddly three-1/2-year-old Kishan. "I want Kishan to be like the children in our neighbourhood. Can I bring him here every day?" she asked.
We had a lengthy talk with her, explaining what Cerebral Palsy is and how progress can be slow. It has been a month now, and we're starting to see a glimmer of progress. Kishan's eye contact has improved, along with his functional abilities. With some support, he's even taken a few steps. However, the absolute joy was on his mother's face when he held her hand and took those steps recently. When he joined, he couldn't walk even with support.
In the village where Kisan's family lives, such care centres are rare; if any, the treatment is expensive. Travelling to a centre in the city is challenging for mothers like Shilpa. Most of the time, our team picks her and Kisan on their way to the centre and drops her near her home. Our five centres provide the necessary therapy closer to their villages.
Soothing paths
When Madhu was young, he had big dreams for his future. In his youth, Madhu was passionate about racing and enjoyed showcasing his riding skills with friends. Tragically, an accident at the age of 22 resulted in a severe head injury that left him unconscious and significantly altered the course of his life.
Madhu had been a part of our mental health awareness camps and clinics for some time. Although he had made progress earlier and had even started working as a security guard, his anxiety levels rose after marriage. He re-entered our care for a while, and now he is in a more relaxed state and has two children. He has also secured a higher-paying job as a security guard, leaving behind the risky racing of his past.
Mental health issues are often kept hidden, but our awareness initiatives, clinical services, and counselling have helped many individuals overcome depression and mental illness, enabling them to lead a better quality of life.
Whispers of a new life
Nagesh, who is diabetic, carelessly ignored a wound on his leg, leading to an infection and the need for amputation. His income had been the sole financial support for the family. Nagesh worked as a cook in a modest restaurant, and his earnings kept the family afloat. To navigate challenging times, his wife took on domestic work in neighbouring households.
Nagesh was one of the attendees when we held a camp in his village. Our camp team assessed Nagesh and determined that he would benefit from a transtibial prosthesis (an artificial limb) to support his ability to walk and participate in various activities. Nagesh is familiarizing himself with walking using the prosthesis, and we believe in his determination and willpower.
However, many individuals like Nagesh find it difficult to access hospitals or acquire the financial means to obtain artificial limbs. As a result, their dreams, as well as those of their family members, remain unfulfilled.
Thank you for your unwavering support and belief in our mission. Friends like you serve as a tremendous source of inspiration. Because of you, like many others, Kisan is taking steps toward a brighter future, Madhu is enjoying a peaceful life, and Nagesh is on the path to a new beginning.
Warmest regards,
Carol
By Dr Carolin George | Head, Community Health Division
By Dr Carolin George | Head, Community Health Division
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