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

Hello friends,

Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital.

Thank you for joining us in the pursuit of bringing joy and dignity to people with disabilities, including children. Your past donations helped support children in our two centres, facilitate people with disabilities access to government entitlements, offer financial support to start livelihood opportunities and provide wheelchairs and walkers to those living in villages in Bangalore rural.

Here are a few stories of inspiration for your reading:

Freshness in vivid shape and colours

It seemed 5-year-old Dhanasvi was destined live in the shadows with speech delay. Just when her parents lost all hope, kind-hearted friends like you made Dhansvi’s and her parents' dream of healing come true.

The good news is not just for Dhansvi, but for around 400 children with different types of disabilities, it’s a transformative time. They enjoy the facilities to write, identify objects and colours, and undergo physical and speech therapies. We have at both our centres around 200 children and the rest, whom we handhold through home visits and training the mothers to care for them.

Dhansvi, now at our centre, can form a few sentences and make eye contact. Her aggressive mannerism has turned sober, and she exhibits love and patience.

Her family spends the evening with Dhansvi, and when she identifies objects, anis a tidal wave of applause from her mom and dad. “It feels like hope has finally arrived. Thank you for connecting and engaging with us,” said the parents.

Each day at our centres is a victory for the children. Their right to learn and a chance to stay as children. Thank you for your role and support in making this a reality.

Colourful makeover

Tarejan future is unleashed. “Everything he could not do before, he can do now,” says his wife. “A road accident put my husband on bed rest for two years. But, with your support, there’s a glint of hope. I am diabetic and have high blood  pressure, and giving a hand to my husband was minimal.”

Before the accident, Tarejan sold steel vessels – which was the only source of income for his family. After the accident, the income c me to a standstill, which forced his sons, aged 18 & 20, to take up painting work. “It broke my heart, but I was helpless,” said Tarejan.

You, our dear friend, changed Tarejan’s life. Through you, we supported Tarejan financially to sell plastic items on his two-wheeler. Despite the physical demand of h s work of ridding every day to sell, Tarejan is heartened by the income he gets to support his family. “To see there’s food and money f r our need is soul-filling. Meeting people from different villages and talking to them makes me happy and takes away my tiredness.”  

When laughter is the only medicine

Outside the small house in a remote village in Bangalore rural, the air is thick with joy, relief and peace. Hema, the mother of Sridhar and  Babu, experience a new level of hope and faith. Her elder son, Babu, is in a wheelchair, and the youngest, Sridhar, steps out of their house with a walker.  Their mother cannot but hide her inner joy and relief.

 “My boys had good health. Both went to school regularly. First, the elder one, Babu, fell sick and was bedridden. Then followed Sridhar. Both could not walk or even move. We went to many hospitals, and none could heal my children. We are poor. My husband works as a driver, and his income can hardly make ends meet. I work in fields to cut grass, a d I need to walk around 10km to reach the field. Our work is tiring, but we are ready to work harder to make our sons’ lives better,” she says.

We gather that the parents had a consanguineous marriage, and as a result, both her children suffer from various disabilities. The traditions, customs and, coupled with a lack of awareness of the effect of such marriages, still linger in rural villages. Sadly, many children are victims of consanguineous marriages.

Babu, Sridhar and mother mostly spend their time together in the evening. There’s always something to laugh and cherish – be it some old story their mother would have narrated or a movie they watched on television. Happiness comes in different for s to each one of us. It can be a luxury item for some. But for this family, it’s simple joy; the joy of her children stepping out and hearing their gales of laughter fill this mother’s heart.

“We are so happy to meet Sridhar after a long time,” chorus his friends. They elbow at each other with a  high-pitched laugh. Armed with this new realisation of their friend’s challenge, they vow to fill Sridhar’s life with carefree moments.

We look forward to your continued support so that more lives can be touched and transformed by your kindness.

Gratefully

Caroline George

Dear donors,

Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital.  

Thank you for your continued support. When your thoughts and kindness reach remote villages in Bangalore rural, it creates beautiful, magical moments for people with disabilities. Your donations augment their hope and aspirations for a new life. 

In rural villages, people with disabilities live isolated life accepting their disability as fate. Young girls and women experience gender-based violence, sexual abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation than women and girls without disabilities. Parents keep children at home for lack of knowledge or facilities without realising that early intervention can improve outcomes for their children. With yours and many other supporters, we are changing their perceptions through awareness and timely support. 

Ensuring people get access to government entitlement 

Bhargav, a six-year-old with speech and hearing difficulties, heard her mother calling her by her name. Guiding the parents to access government facilities drove Bhargav to get a hearing aid. Then there is Keerthi with disabilities, who works as a helper in a small convenience store in his village. "With a two-wheeler you've given me; I plan to ride up to the city, buy groceries and vegetables in a wholesale market and distribute to small shops in my village. Yes, I will change the way I live," he said with an overriding optimism in his tone. 

Children with disabilities are on the road to a hopeful land 

5-year old Harshil, who has a Global Developmental Delay, steps out of a wrapped life and is transported to a beautiful, promising and hopeful future. Noticing Harshil during a home visit, our healthcare worker encouraged his parents to visit our centre to get special education to meet the needs of such children. His dedicated mother never misses bringing Harshil to school. Even during the lockdown, she ensured Harshil followed our online classes. Speech therapy has helped Harshil form two-word sentences, and physiotherapy has helped him stand and walk.

While no two mothers are alike, their hopes and dreams are similar across the world. And so is Harshil's mother. "Harshil's condition hit us hard. We were heartbroken. Not anymore," she quickly wipes away a tear. I am hopeful for more. If not for you, we wouldn't be seeing a new Harshil. Now, I never miss taking Harshil for all family get-togethers". Even though taking Harshil to the centre means that she carries him for two kilometres to get a bus, hope and determination drove her forward despite these challenges to make sure her son got the support he needed. 

You put a smile on his face. 

Meet Mujahid, who is in class five. Mujahid loves going to school, but his weak legs restrict his movements. His mother had to carry him to school. Many a time, he missed school when his mother fell sick. Mujahid missed his friends and his time in school when he couldn't attend. When we gave a wheelchair, Mujahid could not hide the joy in his heart. "He can now go to school or even run an errand for me. We are humbled and very grateful," his mother adds. Now, possibilities open up, and Mujahid can begin to dream about a different future. 

When mothers become teachers and mentors

Meet Sharvani, a mother of Sathvik, and this is her story.

"Our journey with our son Sathvik has been a tough one. Diagnosed with Down Syndrome, we have stepped in and out of many hospitals and moved to different cities."

Through a friend's referral, Sharvani walked into our centre with Sathvik.

"Since Sathvik wouldn't sit in class without me, I met many mothers in a similar situation during my time in the centre. Motivated by Sathvik's incredible progress, I wanted to help more children and motivate the mothers too. I have completed the teacher's training and have become a special education teacher in the centre. I am a happy person today–not only because of my son's progress but the thought that I can help more children and take a message to many mothers in other villages too." 

Thank you for partnering with us to give a new life to people and children with disabilities. Your gift has not only infused hope, renewed dignity, and freedom in an individual's life but the lives of their family members and local communities as well. We are filled with awe and immense gratitude for your continued support

Gratefully,

Carol

Dear friends,

Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital.

Your generosity helped reach people with disabilities with love and life-changing care. You helped Rajesh after his accident find hope and purpose by helping him open a vegetable stall. You ensured vulnerable children like Harshil progress from developmental disability and sport a SMILE. You also ensured that we provide devices and appliances to people with disabilities to envision a newfound life. Thank you. 

Now, everyday life for Rajesh is punctuated with the laughter, and friendly banter of the people gathered around his vegetable stall as they patiently wait for their turn to choose vegetables.  When an accident pushed him to be in the hospital for months, Rajesh thought his life was over. He limbed back home without any sensation in his hands and legs.

Then, you walked into his life. With your support, we have helped Rajesh put up a vegetable stall on the main road, bringing income and a sense of relief to him and his mother. His mother who helps him at the stall says, "Thank you for opening up a new avenue for my son. After the accident, he could not continue his work (Rajesh worked as a helper in a vehicle showroom), and I was always worried about his future," she said.

In addition, we have also helped him through his physiotherapy sessions, resulting in better mobility.

Rajesh now is navigating his new path of life. "Thank you. It's nice when you can earn a living which solidifies my hope and belief. Life now for me is a beauty with harmony," sings Rajesh.

If one visits a small village called Biddenahalli in Bangalore Rural, you could spot little Harshil enjoying his playtime with his favourite cow Gowri; every morning, Harshil runs to the cowshed to greet Gowri. Harshil who has a developmental delay, a few months back could only utter the words 'Amma" (Mom) and "Appa" (Dad) even manages to utter "Gowri". His mother is overjoyed to witness the magical progress of her son. Her eyes wideness, sparkling joy and relief and says "Previously I would hide Harshil from the neighbours and relatives. Now, I am looking for a chance to take Harshil out. I am so proud of him now. Thank you, you came at the right time," says the happiest mother.  She is a dedicated mother. Even during the lockdown, when we had online therapy classes, she would never miss and ensured that Harshil followed all our classes. With our speech and physiotherapy sessions, Harshil is making heads turn towards him.

The need in our world can feel overwhelming. You ask, “What difference can I really make?” You recognize that crises impact individuals. People just like you and me. People with the same emotions, desires, heartbreaks and hopes. You are lighting up new paths that are in a world of darkness. We are so thankful to you.

Your commitment to our work allows us to respond during a pandemic (for example, we ensured that we vaccinate people with disabilities at their doorstep) and create sustainable programmes that foster recovery and growth. Thank you.

With gratitude,

Carolin George

Dear friends,

Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital.

Thank you for your continued support to better the lives of people with disabilities. It's nice indeed what we can achieve together even with our boundaries and distances. 

A few people with disabilities living in Bangalore Rural villages are now living new lives—full of promise and possibilities—because of your generosity and caring support. Your donation infused hope, renewed dignity, and provided freedom. Thank you. 

For example, your gift relieved Kiran from carrying his older sister, Pavitra, to get fresh air and strengthened Kumari to take a bold step to run a small shop to take care of her daughter after her husband's death. These two stories are a record of just some of the many beautiful stories made possible through partnership. 

Simple joys of life

For Pavitra, born with polio defects and her brother Kiran, their aspirations are not televisions or refrigerators but simple joys in life. And when that joy comes in any form, it sits within you and affects how you perceive, interpret and experience the world. Pavitra, who had no option but to remain inside her house, a stroll on her wheelchair brought in simple joy. Kiran watched in awe when the breeze gently touched his sister's face. "My sister enjoyed sitting under the tree. When the leaves flutter for the breeze, I could see a glint in her eyes. Thank you for the wheelchair and the modified toilet. Now, I can bring her every day out. Simple joy, such as being out, is all that Pavitra can have in her life. And the modified toilet makes her rough life smooth," said a teary-eyed Kiran. 

Pavitra and Kiran lost their mother recently. Kiran, her brother, is her close companion now. Oblivious to anything in her life, even her mother's death doesn't seem to disturb Pavitra. "I can't bear anyone being cross with Pavitra. As long as she lives, she should be happy, and that's the reason why I am not even keen to get married," signs off the loving brother. 

The gift of a lifetime

A widow in a small village in Rural Bangalore confidently smiles. She is thinking about the future of her 9-year-old daughter. She wants her daughter to have opportunities that she didn't have. Thanks to you, she has ventured to run the small convenience stall that her husband owned. Disabled by an unfortunate accident, Kumari has difficulty in walking and sitting. Gentle steps with the support of a walking stick are all she could do. She was troubled and worried after the death of her husband about her daughter. When we offered a loan to restart the shop, she welcomed the idea. Now, with the income she generates, she's confident that she could educate her daughter. "I hope one day, my daughter will earn her degree. Thank you for opening this possibility," she gratefully says.

Please share our report with your friends and family members who may get inspired to bring smiles to people like Pavitra, Kiran and Kumari.

Gratefully.

Carolin George

Links:

• http://www.bbhchd.org
• https://bangalorebaptisthospital-chd.exposure.co/