“After my husband died of dengue, I was left alone with a child and a mountain of grief. But Ayush gave me the strength to carry on. He grew up faster than he should have. He studied hard, worked part-time, and did everything he could to take care of me and his grandmother. And now… now he lies in bed, unable to move, apologising for becoming a burden. I keep telling him that he is not a burden, he is my whole world. But he just turns away and stays silent.”—Sarika, mother
On the morning of May 10th, 20-year-old Ayush was riding his scooter with a colleague seated behind. Around 11:00 AM, a speeding truck crashed into them from behind. His colleague walked away with minor injuries. But Ayush’s legs were crushed. His left leg bones were broken and right leg too was severely injured. The young man who once rushed between college and work shifts, now lies completely bedridden.
‘He keeps asking me when he’ll walk again… and I don’t have an answer’
Ayush is a B.Com student and was working as a customer care representative at a private company to help make ends meet. He used to carry grocery bags for his mother, fix things around the house, manage his own studies and work. Now, even sitting up needs support.
“Sometimes he cries silently when he thinks I can’t see. He tells me, ‘Ma, I was supposed to take care of you and dadi… and now you have to do everything alone.’ That breaks me more than anything else. He doesn’t see that he’s already given us so much—his strength, his courage, his dreams. I just want to give him a chance to stand on his feet again.”—Sarika
With no household income, continuing his treatment is almost impossible for her
Ayush has undergone two major surgeries. But doctors say he needs two more to properly heal and regain mobility—followed by months of physiotherapy. These are critical to avoid permanent disability. However, there’s no money left. The family has spent ₹4 lakhs already—by taking loans, borrowing from friends, and emptying what little they had. Sarika, who worked at a local medical store, had to quit her job to care for Ayush full-time. There’s no income coming in. Ayush’s grandmother is also dependent on her. And the cost of her son's medicines, wound care, transport, and follow-ups keeps rising.
“I haven't earned a rupee in weeks. But if I leave him and go to work, who will feed him? Who will help him to the toilet? I’m his mother. This is where I’m meant to be. But it’s getting harder. I lie awake at night thinking—what if I can’t afford his next surgery? What then? Please help me fund his treatment…I don’t have anyone to support me.”—Sarika
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EIN 20-5139364
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