“I did not tell her parents about her condition. They prayed for a child for 16 years. Even the thought of losing her would kill them.”

4-year-old Maya is a bouncy ball according to her uncle, Maruti. She is full of energy, always running in the fields distracting every laborer with her antics. Recently, Maya began falling sick. When her cold and shortness of breath got worse, her uncle took her to a doctor who diagnosed her with a heart defect. Maya’s parents are unaware that their daughter’s life is in danger.
 

They had a miracle after 16 years; they cannot lose her now

“Laxman is my brother. He and Usha were childless for 16 years. When Maya was born it was raining celebrations. She is the life of this family. About 6 months ago, Maya kept falling sick. Cold, cough, fever, shortness of breath and it did not go. Laxman did not want the doctor to even take her blood. He loves her so much that he cannot take the thought of sticking a needle in her.”

Tests confirmed that pulmonary valve is constricted. She also has Patent ductus arteriosus where blood leaks from the aorta into the pulmonary artery. Maya needs an open-heart surgery to survive this. Her condition will only get worse as she grows.

Maya’s father does not let doctors stick needles in her

“We are all farmers here in Satara. Not many people are well-read, my brother included. He would not understand her disease. Laxman and Usha would die of weak heart if they knew that Maya has a disease that could kill her. For now, I have told them she has a cold and cough. She needs treatment. I do not know what to tell them later.”

Although Laxman accompanied Maruti, his wife Sadhana and Maya to the hospital, he is quite unaware of the real circumstances. He cannot bear to see his daughter’s pain. He is terrified every time she turns blue. He relies on his brother to care for his daughter.

How you can help

“The surgery will cost us over a lakh. I begged the doctor to help. I can only afford Rs. 3000 or something. I have been borrowing. Everyone gives us Rs. 50 or Rs. 100. I know we are far from that Rs. 1 lakh, but something is better than nothing.”

Maya needs this surgery within 10 days. Your support can help this child survive, and a family from losing their miracle child.