“None of us could have imagined, how a single moment could turn our life upside down. Since his accident my brother has been on ventilation for the past nine months. Unable to bear the pain of seeing him paralysed, my mother lost her life last month. And for me and my wife, as we focused on my brother’s treatment, we did not realise we were neglecting my wife’s health. We lost our newborn son because of it. It seems like everything is lost in an instant”. – Mayank Sharma, Brother

The doctor said the accident had left his spinal cord broken and he would never be able to stand or sit again

For Gaurav Sharma from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, life was no less a blessing. A few months ago, his brother married a wonderful woman, and his own life was filled with love as he was preparing to marry his fiancée, Khushi Pandey, with whom he had been working in Delhi. But on the morning of 8th June 2024 life took an unexpected turn, when the car he was driving met with an accident. Gaurav saw a child on a bicycle taking a sudden U-turn in front of him. He swerved to save the child, but his car crashed into an electric pole.

Lamenting about the day, Mayank says, “When his friends called, they told us he had only minor injuries. But when we reached Delhi, we learned the full extent of what had happened. By then, Gaurav had already been shifted to the Trauma Centre. The doctor told us that the accident had left his spinal cord broken, and he would never be able to stand or sit again and would remain paralysed forever.” – Brother

My heart breaks, every time I try to think what he must be going through inside.

But Gaurav’s family was not ready to give up. They approached Indian Spinal Injuries Centre in New Delhi, where the doctor conducted immediate surgery. But even then, Gaurav’s condition did not revive a bit, and since 9th June 2024, Gaurav has been on constant ventilation.

His fiancée, who has stayed by his side, says, “Every day when I see Gaurav’s face, I remember how we used to train people at the gym together. He was an athlete. Body building was his passion. Now for nine months he has been lying on bed, helpless. My heart breaks, every time I try to think what he must be going through inside.”

At present we don’t have enough money, even to keep Gaurav few more days in hospital

Unable to bear any more, and also not been able to take the doctor’s verdict of making peace with the current condition, Gaurav’s father and brother went to more hospitals and even govt. hospitals, but none would keep Gaurav in this condition. And finally, it was Dr. Chhavra from Balaji Action Medical Institute, who gave the family a flicker of hope.

“The doctor said, by inserting Diaphragm Stimulation Pacemaker, a device that uses electrical impulses to stimulate the diaphragm, Gaurav will be able to breathe by himself. In that way he will be taken off from ventilation, and the doctor can carry out further treatment. But the device itself will cost more than 40 lakhs rupees. And at present, we don’t even have enough money to keep Gaurav in the hospital for a few more days.” Says Mayank.

I don’t want to lose the only hope to see my son at least living by himself

Although the family was quite well settled until few months back, but Gaurav’s accident has completely destroyed the economic condition of the family. His brother who was in merchant navy and earning well, had to leave job to take care of Gaurav. His father had to mortgage his only shop to support Gaurav’s treatment. And now they have nothing to go on even for a day.

With tears in his eyes, his father says, “We took loan after loan but could not repay them. After a point we lost anything and everything, even for mortgaging. Knowing that we would never be able to return the money, our friends and relatives have also stopped lending us anything. And now we do not have anywhere to go. I have already lost my wife. I have lost my grandchild. I cannot lose my son too. All I want is for him to breathe on his own. Please help me."

Your little kindness can bring hope to Gaurav’s lifelong struggle

Life is so unpredictable that sometimes it is scary. But with kindness, we keep each other’s hope alive. And today, Gaurav and his family desperately need help so he can have a chance at life and hope for the future.

Click here to donate.


.