Deliver disability care to 25000-rural Bangalore

Thank you for your continued support. Your gifts travel to the rural villages in Bengaluru, bringing a sense of lightness in families as if a burden has been lifted. 

We want to highlight one of our recent initiatives - rehabilitation support for those with spinal injuries. Most incidents involve accidental falls from trees, inebriated states, and road accidents. The patient or the family members aren't educated, or they do not know what to do after the surgery. And what if they are poor and live miles and miles away from rehabilitation services? 

20-year Junaid is one among those with spinal injury. Fun-filled school days, dreams, and aspirations fell into pieces when he had a fall from a coconut tree. Junaid spent agonising months in hospitals. His family made many adjustments to their life, from borrowing money to setting up a bed for Junaid in the sitting room so that someone could always be with him. They had no idea how to care for or support Junaid's emotional and physical trauma. But their love for him overrides all challenges.

Junaid has been one of our patients for the past two months. He looked more cheerful when we met him recently on our regular house visits. "I am so happy because Dr Martina said my wounds are healing and she'd wait another week to decide if I need surgery,". Dr Martina explains that Junaid has pressure injuries with deep wounds. We've trained his mother to clean his wounds daily, and there's progress. If this family had been aware of the rehabilitation process, Junaid would have progressed better. Junaid has been sitting in a wheelchair (not specially designed for spinal injury patients), leading to his pressure injuries.

It has been five years since Junaid fell. The five years had bumps and humps, struggles, heartaches and turbulence. For Junaid has lost the best part of his life. "I don't want to be in this sleeping position. I want to get up and run. But, I cannot - and that hurts. Sometimes I am angry with myself. Did I make a mistake? I am still trying to figure out the answers. I miss my school days. I miss spending time with my friends. I also see the pain on my mother's face. I am her pet son, and it breaks her heart to see me in this position. My sister upgrades her culinary skills by watching cooking demonstrations to vary her dishes. I want to step out,  even if I stumble, to see the bright blue sky, the outside world that has faded away from me," he shares his simple wishes.

"Please help Junaid do the exercises and send us a video,” tell our physiotherapist to Junaid’s brother. The video helps the team assess his progress.

We also built a modified toilet for Junaid, which has eased some difficulties. The family has also asked for financial support to set up a small convenience store so that when Junaid recovers, he can run this store. Unfortunately, Junaid cannot continue his studies – opportunities from many fronts are lacking. Setting up a store - the family feel this is the best they can do for him.

We leave Junaid's home, wishing him a speedy recovery.

Your donations help us provide people such as Junaid - wound dressing materials, in some cases, adult diapers, and required medications. Also, it will help us travel to many more villages - if your contributions continue, we could pay for fuel and cover the cost of the medical team.

Thank you for your trust placed on our work, and we'd be happy if you'd share this story with your family circle and friends. We could then support many more patients to recover, increasing their happiness quotient and giving them space to reinvigorate their subdued spirits and health.

Warmly,

Carolin George