Disability is a
physical, emotional, cognitive, or sensory impairment that affects an
individual's function in everyday life. Thousands of people live with the
effects of disabilities, whether they're affected themselves, or have a
disabled family member, or friend, or are employed at an organization assisting
those with disabilities. This small article has inspired writers to think about
the disabled protagonists who inspire others to never give up.
Siddhi Mathur was
born on April 18,1996. She was diagnosed with Celebral Palsy suffering from Diaplegic Spasticity i.e. tightness of
muscles in lower limbs. Children suffering from Diaplegic Spasticity experience
growth of the muscles not
coordinating with the growth of
the bones. Cerebral palsy is
a permanent, non-progressive movement disorder
that causes physical disability, mainly in the areas of body movement. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to
the motor control centers of the developing brain and can occur during
pregnancy, during childbirth, or after birth up to about age three. Her development was delayed after birth and
at the age of 8 months, her parents came to know about the ailment when she was
unable to sit .She could not sit and walk independently till the age of two. With
growing age her
knees started to bend which made her to walk on toes.
Siddhi
was admitted in Delhi Public School, Jodhpur in Class Prep in year 2001 after
she was denied admission in other schools of the city. These schools were
unable to cater to the special needs of her disability. Siddhi used to reach
school by walking on toes with bent knees and climbed stairs to attend the
classes . This was not an easy task for her, but she never gave up. Her parents
were also religiously regular in bringing and taking her back from school on a
daily basis. Starting from the age of
six till this year, she went through various surgeries in Mumbai during summer
breaks. Siddhi was put on plaster treatment
for one to two months post the surgery. After
surgery, during the school days, she had to undergo physiotherapy for
four hours as a daily routine activity. She chartered her course of study
independently. The whole phase was difficult and
painful for her. During summer breaks every year, children of her age used to
enjoy with their family and friends whereas Siddhi was confined to bed rest in
hospital after surgery with Plaster on her legs preparing to take a bigger
forward leap in her life. It is ironic, that the benefits of various physiotherapy
treatments were lost with every surgery she went through. Every year, the
Physiotherapy sessions were taken again from the beginning. Today, she stands
physically fit and independent with little limp.
At the age of six, treatment of Dr. Ashok Johari, a well
known Peadiatric Orthopaedician in Mumbai who is specialized in spasticity
management was started. Siddhi was put on plaster treatment for one and half
months. She had to undergo physiotherapy daily for four hours. Later on, at the
age of 13, the Doctor operated her to lengthen tendons and muscles at various points
of both legs and spine. The surgery went for six to seven hours. Post operation,
Siddhi was kept in plaster for two and half months. She also had to undergo
physiotherapy for four hours as a daily routine. Usually, during daytime she used
to wear AFO shoes and during night she was advised to sleep wearing night
splints in order to keep her knees straight. Next year, at the age of 14,
Siddhi underwent for botox (an injection to loosen the muscles) treatment. Here
again, post treatment, she was kept in plaster for two months and the
physiotherapy continued for four hours everyday.
In
2012, Dr. Johari performed Knee surgery in both legs as her knees were deformed
due to bending and her femur bones were
fractured. Siddhi again went through the surgery wherein plates were inserted in
the bones with five screws. This painful surgery went for eight hours. Here again, post treatment, she was kept in plaster for
three long months and the daily physiotherapy continued for long sessions. In 2014, Siddhi underwent through her last surgery to
remove the plates. This was a minor surgery which lasted for two hours.
Today,
she stands physically fit and independent with little limp. Seeing Siddhi today,
it is difficult to imagine the situation she was in prior to 2009 when her
first surgery was done. With an exemplary academic record, she successfully
completed her schooling from Delhi Public School in 2014 with science stream.
Siddhi went for a focused self study regime and never took tuitions for the
reason that she didn’t have time and energy. She was determined to excel with
self study only. Today, this child stands proud amidst the top Students of
Delhi Public School, Jodhpur qualifying RPMT and getting admission in renowned
S N Medical College, Jodhpur. Though there are other students who have secured
rank in RPMT but her health problems make her stand apart. Siddhi is now a
living example of motivation to those students who are physically and mentally
challenged and also to those children who are blessed with healthy body. A
child, who was not able to sit at all, is now qualified to study medicine and
contribute her services in the field of medical to serve the society.
