Empower 800 children with birth defects in Chennai

Dear donors,

Greetings from Sukriti Social Foundation.

Beautiful moments emerge because of you; your care and interest bring immeasurable joy, relief and pain-free life for children with congenital disabilities as well for their parents.

Just like the seven-year-old Gokul who's having a go at sports and winning laurels, there are so many children who, with your support, we' love to add colours to their life. Your timely action, inspiration, and motivation bring smiles to the parents too. Thank you so much. We need you and your support always.

Since this is our first report to you, we thought we'll give you an insight into our process and hope it makes an exciting and meaningful read, bringing you the visual impact that we are striving for the children.

Gokul would wipe away his tears when his friends at school would say, "You can stay away now, We are playing football, and you cannot run.". Things changed when the parents learned of our support provided at the Institute of Child Health in Chennai known  to many as Baby Hospital They applied; Doctors at the hospital assessed Gokul's defects and economic conditions. When the hospital records the needs of appliances, we step in and begin the process - the type of devices and the measurement and counselling for the parents. 

In the case of Gokul, it was a follow-up as the appliance needed repairs and therefore the replacement of his previous AFO - Ankle Foot Orthosis. Initially, the POP (Plaster of Paris) casting of the limb is taken, and the cast is covered with Polypropylene sheet and placed in an orthotics oven. Then, we need to bring it to shape by heating, cutting and filling.  The next step is the trial stage. After the trial is perfect, we do the padding. After the padding, we work on the drilling of the holes to insert the straps. Then comes the ideal AFO. And we hand over the appliances to the parents. The first- time trial is s teary scene with children terrified of something foreign that they have to wear and also the pain related to it.  There's fear, anguish, and withdrawal. There's a mixed sense of emotions for the parents - for one, there is hope of a permanent solution that will make their children walk, run and play like any other children; yet they sense pain, anguish and heartache seeing their little ones going through painful moments. 

Gokul, who is with us for a follow-up, has a new AFO. The joy is that because of you he is part of his school sports activities. A child who was in tears a few years back because of his friends eliminated him is winning laurels. Most importantly, he's experiencing the joy that a child of his age enjoys. A blessing - because of you. Thank you so much.

"We are joyful indeed," say the blissful parents, holding Gokul lovingly. "We are at peace now because Gokul doesn't have to stay back during sports which he enjoys. He can confidently and boldly participate and enjoy the moments which otherwise he would have missed in his life. With Gokul's father working as a daily labourer and his mother not working, this family would have struggled to make this child walk.  We have replaced his AFO for the third time, and we are just as delighted as the parents of his progress.

Just as Gokul, together with you, we have brought joy, peace and a new future to 44 children who received various life-changing devices. All thanks to you!

Such as Gokul, many children have congenital disabilities. They remain as they are due to lack of awareness of the medical support and or the dire financial situation. Together, we can bring in such meaningful changes.

Truthfully, we wouldn't be able to bring in a positive change to these children without your support. So, we hope you'll continue to support us. The children and we appreciate your caring attitude.

Sincerely,

Sowmya 

Links:

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