Awaiting the change of fate

Small wonders

A doting mother of two, Sharada couldn’t have asked for more after the birth of a bubbly daughter and a smart boy. But, shock of her life awaited her when she discovered her daughter Santoshi was speech and hearing impaired, and the son - born blind. The boy had even cleft lip and palate, making it difficult for him to eat and breathe.

Hailing from an extremely poor family, Sharada couldn’t have anticipated much support from her brothers and sisters who worked as daily labourers. With children who needed constant support, Sharada had to stay home, which essentially meant she couldn’t do much to help her own situation. The treatments came costly, and they neither had money, nor the resources to raise the required funds.

After many scans, tests and consultations, Sharada was told her daughter may, after a major surgery, begin to hear things around her.

But, the son will never be able to see. Being a strong-willed mother that she is, Sharada is determined to see that atleast her daughter should lead  near-normal life.  

“My husband also comes from the same economical background as myself. Though we both have been working hard, we have not been able to do much. I have resigned to my fate that my son may never be able to see. But, I want to help my daughter,” she says.

At some point, her husband had even distanced himself from the family and problems, owing to the complications of children, which he refused to comprehend with.

Dr Satish at Vikram Hospital, who treated her son for cleft lip and palate was amazed with the perseverance she showed as a mother.

“She has resolved that her children may not be completely fine. Yet, nothing stops her from trying to find help for them,” he says. Smile Train offered them some solace since the cleft lip and palate was corrected without much cost, owing to the help by an international NGO which is associated with the concept.

However, for the girl to hear at all, Cochlear Implant Operation will cost a good ` 11 lakh. For Sharada, who ekes out a living by selling nighties and petticoats to the people hailing from economically weaker sections -- her neighbours, ` 11 lakh is completely out of bound.

Yet, she lives on hope alone. “I am sure some help will come along in form of organisations or individuals who will help change my daughter’s fate,” she says, with hope in her eyes, and helplessness standing out strong through her voice.