Ever since they got married in 2013, Anitha and Vadivelan have been each other’s greatest support. They took short weekend trips whenever possible, and made sure to celebrate all their milestones. Whether it’s their wedding anniversary or a long weekend, they celebrated everything with equal enthusiasm. Their life, though not the easiest, was a content one. The happiest day, however, was when Anitha gave birth to their baby girl two months ago. They took home a happy bundle of joy. But just 10 days after her birth, their baby fell terribly ill.
“Suddenly she stopped feeding, she would cry all night and we just didn’t know why. We did everything to comfort her, but nothing worked. In the 10 days that she was with us at home, we even decided what we would name her. We both agreed on Janani. But now she’s in the ICU. She can’t even breathe on her own.” – Anitha, mother
Every time they thought she was getting better, they had to take her back to the hospital
Anitha and Vadivelan’s baby girl has a severe infection in her lungs and struggles to breathe on her own. She was also born with two holes in her heart. The little one has been in and out of the hospital since October 30th.“Every time we thought she was getting better, we had to take her back to the hospital again,” says Anitha with tears in her eyes. When I go see her in the ICU, I talk to her like I would at home... sometimes I even sing to her, but she’s so weak. She barely opens her eyes to look at me.” - Anitha
Vadivelan’s income just isn’t enough to continue their baby’s treatment
While Anitha spends the day in the hospital, Vadivelan spends the night there. Anitha and Vadivelan don’t get to spend time with each other, and the few minutes that they do, they sit in silence or ask if there were any updates from the doctor. The once happy and joyful couple is now solemn – a dark cloud of worry follows them everywhere.“I work in a wholesale shop, and no matter how much I want to stay in the hospital with my wife and child, I have to go to work. But even while working, all I think about is my baby girl and the 10 days of happiness we had with her. I’ve already spent 3 lakhs after borrowing and selling the jewellery we had, my income isn't enough.” – Vadivelan