Mahira is 7 years old and supposed to be in grade 2 at school. But this child has not gone to school ever, except for two-three days in kindergarten. This is not because her parents do not want their child to study, but because her severe heart condition does not let her breathe properly.

“She cannot breathe without exerting herself and using up all the energy in her little body. It is painful to watch her struggle and gasp for air all the time.”- Shehla, mother

Mahira is suffering from a severe heart condition called Ventricle Septal Defect with Additional Mid Muscular VSD, which is an abnormal hole in the heart that forms between the heart’s lower pumping chambers. This allows oxygen-poor blood and oxygen-rich blood to mix, which leads to poor circulation of oxygen in the body. Without an urgent open-heart surgery, this condition may worsen and cause lung damage and in worst circumstances, even death.

This poor child has been suffering from birth

Little Mahira was all of 9 months old when her mother noticed that her baby was not able to drink milk at a stretch and was turning blue in some instances too. She alerted her husband and they took the baby to a local hospital in their hometown in Uttar Pradesh. Multiple holes were found in her heart, and the baby was taken in for surgery immediately.

“We arranged a huge amount of money (2-3 lakhs) in a very short period of time and Mahira’s small heart was operated on. We thought that surgery would save her forever but we were wrong. She still has a very huge hole left in her heart that is making living very difficult for her.” – Mohamed Parvez, father.

An urgent surgery is the only solution to her woes

Despite her serious health issues, Mahira is confident that she will live a normal life one day. She keeps telling her parents about her plans, which include travelling to places beyond Uttar Pradesh (her hometown) and Delhi (where the hospital she goes for treatment is). But at the top of the list is leading a normal life, like her younger brother Kaif – who is able to run and jump and be energetic like normal children.

“She does not have very big dreams. She just wants to do basic things. She gets very sad when she cannot even climb the stairs without panting and turning blue. Our child does not deserve this fate. I am a poor shopkeeper who does not earn enough and we just hope Allah will help us find a way so that her surgery can happen soon.”- Mohamed Parvez, tearfully.

This child can have a shot at a normal life with your help.