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“I am not educated enough to qualify for another job. The only skill I have is stitching. That is what I do in order to provide for my children, to send them to school, and to ensure my daughter gets her treatment on time. Yes, their education, her general check-ups and even the ration for the household comes through government institutions and is subsidized, but owing to my financial instability, even the cost of commuting to these places is a concern,” says single mother Sagayarani.
Sagayarani’s husband has stopped taking care of the family altogether.
Vinnarasi's father is an alcoholic. He lives and works in Bangalore, and barely even tries to get in touch with his wife and children living in Chennai. Sagayarani has single-handedly been taking care of her 18-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter, ensuring they go to school and build a future more secure than hers.
When her daughter Vinnarasi was born, the doctors had told Sagayarani that the baby would need a surgery.
“At that point, I was in no position to think about a surgery. I still had a son to feed, and no money to even go home and get life back on track. A surgery was beyond imagination.”
Vinnarasi has a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, which leads to a bending of joints in two or more parts of the body. For her, it is the knees and hip.
As she started growing, the anomalies gained prominence and her knees bent strangely when she walked. Time passed, and little Vinnarasi began to go to school. Despite her inability to walk much, she loves going to school, and in fact, holds the first or second rank in class.
“She comes first in class, and loves to study. English is her favourite subject. She speaks in English as well. She wants to grow up and become a doctor,” her mother proudly says.
Vinnarasi's condition is quite serious, and she immediately needs a surgery to rectify the condition.
She has already undergone the surgery for her knees during her childhood. Since she is suffering from a rare condition, most people are unaware of the problems she is facing on a day to day basis.
The little girl’s life is threatened by the increasing severity of the condition she is suffering from.
Sagayarani is single-handedly trying to manage work, and her frequent visits to the hospital.
“I earn according to the work I do in a day. On some days it’s 300, sometimes 500, sometimes there is nothing at all. We eat or starve according to the amount I earn. Amidst all this, sparing money for a surgery is beyond me. So far, I have literally begged people to help my daughter, and now doctors are saying it may pose a threat to her life, but I cannot even think of so much money,”
The correction surgery proposed by her doctors would cost Vinnarasi's mother Rs. 4 Lakh. She is in no position to arrange these funds. A little from you can go a long way to save Vinnarasi's life.
