Harsh is 10. He cannot remember happy days of his childhood. Pain dominates his memories, which mainly involve doubling over in stomachache, violent vomiting fits, shuttling between Mumbai and Bengaluru in a critical condition, and waiting for a liver transplant that could save him from it all. Harsh was going to be in 6th standard. Now he does not even think about school. For him, it is all about staying alive. In this race, he even lost his father, and I have not had the courage to tell him.

About 2 years ago, Harsh was diagnosed with Wilson’s disease. His belly was bloating and the pain was too much for him to bear. It was because there was increased copper accumulation in his body, leading to liver damage. He was on medicines for 2 years, and then, the medicines went out of stock.

We all kept shuttling between Mumbai and Bangalore because, we could not afford to stay in Bangalore. Santosh was traveling to get all paperwork done. Every day that passed by was one day lost in trying to save Harsh. He kept thinking he was failing Harsh by not having enough money for the treatment. Eventually, this nightmare took my husband’s life with a heart attack.

Liver transplant alone was not enough for Harsh. He needs follow up tests and treatment until he can be free of risks. Until then, we have to stay in Bangalore. After the surgery, he had a hernia. The pain did not end. He is still fighting for his life. This treatment is going to take time. Yet I am living with my son in a sterile room on a rent per day basis, hoping we can go home tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, I hope for another tomorrow.

When friends and family fell short of help, strangers saved my son. I sit here as a widow and mother of a young boy who does not know what is waiting for him. We do not have anything left except the kindness of doctors and people across the Internet. I request you all to help me save my son again, and help us go back home.