“Just 10 days before she was born, they told us that she might have a deformity in her legs. All the scans before that were normal, we didn’t know what to expect.” – Vanaja, mother
Ruchita was born with a deformity in her legs, her feet were turned outwards. She was only 1-month-old when she underwent her first corrective surgery. Ruchita is now 3, but she can’t bend her knees yet. She can’t even stand, let alone walk. She will only be able to take her first steps with urgent surgery.
Her mother hasn't left her side for more than a few seconds in 3 years
Ruchita has arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a disease that causes decreased flexibility in the joints. While Ruchita loves to play, there’s not much she can do. However, she remains cheerful, especially if Vanaja is around – and Vanaja has seldom left her side.“When I see other kids her age, I feel bad that my Ruchi can’t even walk. All I pray for is that she can walk. I often think of the day she can stand on her own, go to school, play with children. It’s my only wish. People say she doesn’t ‘normal’ because of her legs and her cross eye, but they can all be corrected with help.”
Ruchita has had two surgeries so far – one for her leg, and the other for her hip. She has also undergone physiotherapy but in vain. She needs one more surgery to be able to walk again, and she needs it soon.
They don’t have anything left to repay what they borrowed for her earlier surgeries
Vanaja and Ram have a small condiments shop in Bangalore and earn around Rs. 10,000-15,000 per month. With this, they also have to pay rent for their shop. Over the years, they have spent 7 lakhs on Ruchita’s surgery and physiotherapy by taking loans and borrowing from family.“We still have to pay people back for what we’ve borrowed. I can’t even get another job because someone has to be with Ruchita all the time.”
Vanaja and Ram long to see their daughter take her first steps. They long to give her a pain-free life, one where she is happy and healthy. Ruchita can only walk with surgery, and her parents need your help to afford it.
Supporting Document
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.
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