“My brother has been gifted with good friends. They are the reason he survived the accident. If it was not for their timely help, I would have lost him. But, no matter how much we all try, we are still short of money for the treatment. All we can do now is pray. He is improving, but he is not out of the woods yet.”
24-year-old Rajendra is a National Level volleyball player studying Agriculture Business management in Dantwada College, Banaskantha. He set out to get a laptop from a friend and ended up colliding with a lorry in a terrible road accident. Rajendra has serious injuries on his spine and abdomen and has been in the ICU for over 2 months. His friends and family are by his side holding his hand through recovery.
We spoke to Manoj, Rajendra’s brother, about the incident and the current situation. Here’s what he had to say.
I work on the campus as a driver. My father passed a few months ago, and since then, I have been caring for our ailing mother, three sisters, and Rajendra. I don’t get much, just about Rs. 300/day. Rajendra always wanted to study, achieve something big. He loved volleyball, but he never gave up on his education. He wanted to contribute to the village.
On that night, he was visiting a friend for a laptop. You know how they say, if it has to happen, it will happen. Well, Rajendra has always been very careful on the road. It was just time. A lorry rammed into him and left him hanging to life by a thread.
When we heard, his friends and I rushed him to a leading hospital in the city where they refused to admit him saying there was no hope for his survival. We did not give up. How could we? He was conscious! He was fighting to stay alive! Even if he gave up, we would still be there encouraging him to fight.
Finally, we took him to CIMS where they rushed him into surgery. Over these two months, I have seen my brother’s condition improve radically. Of course, when I look at him, my heart breaks. People would not recognize him. However, from being paralyzed to be able to move his hands and legs, he has come a long way.
Rajendra was traumatized in the accident. His spine was terribly injured, his internal organs were damaged. He is being fed through a pipe inserted into his stomach. He needed intensive treatment and therapy. Within this little time, he began talking to everyone.
He never gave up, stays positive, and hopes to get back to college with his friends.
Until now, his friends have pooled over Rs. 20 lakhs for his treatment. They have exhausted all their savings and resources. The college raised funds to save his life. Since Rajendra has been in the ICU and expenses are rising as he recovers, we need external help to continue with his treatment.
I have seen a lot of kindness in these past few months. I am heartened to know there are people out there to stand by us when we are in need. Rajendra’s friends and I are requesting you to support us in saving him and bring him back home.
Supporting Documents
The specifics of this case have been verified by the medical team at the concerned hospital. For any clarification on the treatment or associated costs, contact the campaign organizer or the medical team.Click here to contribute to Rajendra or for more details on this campaign.
