Deliver disability care to 25000-rural Bangalore

 Dear donors,

Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital!

Narayanaswamy is on his feet again! What a joy! Thanks to you for your kindness and support!

In Aaneshwara, a small village 40 km from Bangalore City, 45-year old Narayanaswamy, after a long battle following a stroke, managed to stand and walk.  He’s joyful that he can walk from his home to his mother's verandah with the aid of a walking stick. Thanks to people like you, Narayanaswany and many others with disability either due to a complication of illness or by birth itself, can stand up to so many challenges and look into the future with hope. You make the difference in their lives possible!

"He was the happiest and a jovial person in our family of five boys and two girls," says his niece, Mallika. "Look at this state now - he could neither walk nor talk," she adds. Narayanasway had a stroke, became paralyzed and lost his speech. "My uncle used to drive a tractor, earned well and was much respected. It hurt me so much to see him like that - more because he cannot speak".

Identified by the Village Rehabilitation Worker (VRW), we helped him register with our District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC). Then Hema, the physiotherapist began visiting him at home and provided the much-needed therapy at home. She counseled the family; taught his wife and niece the exercises that he should be doing every day. Gradually, Narayanaswamy showed signs of improvement. Hema encouraged him to walk with the support of a walker. Through the DDRC, we could facilitate his government entitlements. Recently Narayanaswamy received a walking stick that is helping him move around without the support of his wife or children.  "I'm all in all," says his wife, (who works as a garbage segregator), without much emotion. The struggle with her sick husband had drained her physically and emotionally. It had taken a toll on her as reflected in her mannerisms. But she is thankful for our efforts in restoring her husband to back to life! You played a significant role in enabling us to provide timely help through our disability work.

Along with Narayanasway, you also helped transform the lives of:

• 35-year old Srinivas from Boorigere village with disability card, pension, and a tricycle 
• 40-year old Gudiyappa from Bhuvanahalli village received disability card, pension, and a wheelchair
• 42-year old Ashok from Boodigere village received disability card, pension, and a tricycle
• 36-year old Munegowda from Vijayapura received disability card, pension, and loan to start a convenience store.

Our learning hubs for children with intellectual disability continue to be a source of hope and strength to parents of children whose future seemed uncertain. Believing that the services provided at the hubs can change the course of their children’s lives, they travel long distances to bring their children for speech therapy, physiotherapy, and communication. Their hope is that their children will develop the skills to become independent enough to attend normal schools and into self-confident adults. Once again, this is possible, because of your support!

You supported the following children.

• Three-year-old Bindu Sri of Doddaballapura with special education, speech therapy, and physiotherapy
• Three-year-old Dhanya Sri of Vijayapura with special education, speech therapy, and physiotherapy
• Seven-year-old Pavani of Rayasanda with speech therapy, physiotherapy, and special education
• Five-year-old Gowtham of Doddaballapura with special education and speech therapy
• Three-year-old Padma Charan of Doddaballapura with special education, speech therapy, and physiotherapy
• Six-year-old Sathvik of Doddaballapura with special education and speech therapy

Additionally, you supported four-year-old Anusree of Doddagollahalli with modified footwear enabling her to walk comfortably.

Hithaishi is the mother of Savitha who is one of the children attending our learning hub

Hithaishi.  is undergoing special educator training and will soon become a special educator at our learning hub. She becomes a permanent resource in her village and neighboring villages and can provide therapy. She is also a motivator in her village for parents with children with intellectual disability to bring them to our center.

Thank you so much for being a part of our mission. We look forward to your continuous support. With your support, we can help transform the lives of many more children and persons with disability.

With gratitude,

Gift Norman