Support excluded kids with disabilities in India

Shamim Molla was five years old when he was first brought to the Nishtha Centre, unable to walk and able only to crawl. His speech was extremely limited — a few unclear sounds, but no way to truly communicate. His parents were deeply distressed, uncertain whether he would ever walk or lead an independent life.

Shamim's early months had already been marked by difficulty. During a prolonged and complicated labour, his mother lost consciousness before help could reach her, and he was born at a primary health centre following a birth affected by a lack of oxygen. In the years that followed, his parents began to notice that Shamim wasn't developing the way other children did — he struggled to grasp objects, drooled persistently, and by the age of five, still could not stand or walk. School remained out of reach.

The family, from a farming community in rural West Bengal, faced significant financial hardship; Shamim's father is a marginal farmer and his mother an agricultural labourer. Without the means or awareness to access medical care, they turned instead to local healers, oil rituals and blessed water — never knowing that therapy could help.

It was a community awareness programme, and encouragement from local Panchayat members, that first brought the family to Nishtha. A multidisciplinary assessment confirmed cerebral palsy linked to birth asphyxia, along with delays across his motor, speech and adaptive development.

From there, a structured programme of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and parental counselling began — alongside guidance for the family on how to continue supporting Shamim's development at home.

The change has been steady and real. Shamim can now stand and walk with support. He has begun using simple words, his drooling has reduced significantly, and he plays and interacts with other children. He is now able to attend a regular school.

His parents' outlook has shifted too. Where there was once little hope, there is now confidence — a family more informed, more involved, and better equipped to support their son. They express sincere gratitude to Nishtha and The Karuna Trust for providing accessible services under one roof, free of cost, which would otherwise have been beyond their reach. This support has reduced both the financial and emotional burden on the family.

Shamim's progress is a reminder of what early identification and consistent, accessible support can make possible, even in families facing real financial hardship. For every child like Shamim, that support only exists because of donors like you.

Thank you for making journeys like his possible.