I am 16 years old. I love school. Yes, I know not many kids my age would feel this way. I just want to do well and get a good job so I can get my parents out of their struggle. Right when I thought my life was changing, my life seems to be ending. I have a chronic liver disease, and I will not survive without a liver transplant.“He worked really hard and wrote his exams even when he was in pain. Shashidhar scored really well. Now he is hurt that even with all that hard work, he is going to be left behind. He thinks God is punishing him with this illness.” - Shobha (Mother)
My father Mahipal Reddy worked as a private taxi driver, my mother is a home-maker, and my brother Rakesh completed his 2nd year in college. We are all from Madikonda in Telangana. My father met with an accident. His right hand has lost function ever since, so all he is able to do now is work for a daily wage. We live on Rs. 300/day.
I gave my exams despite all the pain.
Just before my exams began, I began suffering from fever. I felt quite weak as well. We all thought it was the heat. Summer was harsh here. I made sure to push through the exams and stressed myself out. When the holidays came, my health got worse. We went to several hospitals. They said I had jaundice. I was also admitted somewhere for a whole month, but it was only at Global Hospital that they told us I had liver disease and my survival depended on a liver transplant
I can’t even begin to explain how it felt. The adults would whisper outside the room. Sometimes when they thought I was asleep, I could hear my mother crying. Finally, when they were doing a liver biopsy, I spoke to the doctor and he explained everything to me. There have been no secrets ever since.
I am scared. I don’t want to die. I am just 16. I have not finished studying. I have not finished living my dreams. I am so good at studies. Why is God punishing me?
My classmates have all moved on. I feel like a loser. I won’t have any friends left in my class if I apply next year. This disease is hurting me. I need two injections every day just to stay alive. As for that liver transplant, it costs us Rs. 20 lakhs. My parents cannot afford it! I am causing so much trouble.
“We had some land in the village. My parents sold that off. That is how we were able to continue my treatment so far. They say my condition has become stable and the doctors say that we have to get the transplant now – before it gets worse”
I try not to cry, but sometimes I cannot hide my tears
My brother Rakesh has dropped out of college. He wants to go to work so they can afford to save my life. They have all applied for CM and PM funds. I don’t know how much time I have left. I am scared. I can’t help crying sometimes. I tell myself to be brave, but sometimes, I just cannot hold the tears back. My parents are really struggling. I can feel this disease killing me.
How you can help
Shashidhar's liver has been suffering damage for the last three months and he needs a liver transplant before the liver damage starts shutting down other systems in the body. His parents have exhausted all their funds and have nowhere to turn to. Our support will help this family arrange for a liver transplant urgently to save young Shashidhar and give him his life back.
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.Milaap is India's largest and most trusted funding platform for personal and social causes. Read more here - https://milaap.org/press
