Empowering Livelihoods:
Najmunnisa’s Journey
Najmunnisa, a 57-year-old residing in Sarabande Palya, Banashankari, Bengaluru Urban District, has overcome hereditary hearing impairment and low vision to forge a path of self-sufficiency. Amidst the challenges of her health and family circumstances, she has emerged as a beacon of determination.
With ten children and her husband’s passing four years ago, Najmunnisa’s dependency on family members grew. Her involvement in MI-formed Self-Help Group (SHG) activities initially provided a lifeline, but her health hindered her ability to sustain conventional work. Undeterred, she established a modest tiffin centre at home, leveraging her culinary skills.
Najmunnisa’s hearing and vision issues were addressed when Mobility India intervened in 2001. Through the provision of a hearing aid and spectacles, her ability to communicate and engage with others significantly improved. This support catalyzed a transformation – she now efficiently operates her dosa business, earning an average of 300 to 400 rupees daily. This income contributes to household expenses and uplifts her family’s quality of life. Her son, a pillar of support, stepped into employment at a fish shop to assist the family.
In collaboration with her children, Najmunnisa’s dosa business flourished, further stabilizing their financial situation. Together, they envision the establishment of a small restaurant, which promises even greater opportunities for economic empowerment. Najmunnisa and her family are poised to scale new heights, breaking free from the shackles of limited opportunities.
A Ray of Hope for Bitupan Bora:
48-year-old Putukon Bora is a diligent farmer and daily wage worker, hailing from Aadhar Satra village in the Golaghat district of Assam. When his son, Bitupan Bora, faced the challenges posed by a physical disability, Mr. Putukon embarked on a journey to secure a better life for his child. Mr. Putukon’s determination led him to seek assistance from the Honourable Chief Minister of Assam, recognizing the urgent need for intervention. In response, a ray of hope emerged as Bitupan was referred to Bengaluru for advanced treatment, facilitated by Guwahati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH).
The journey was driven by a fervent quest to unlock a brighter future for Bitupan. In Bengaluru, Bitupan’s condition was diagnosed as Cerebral Palsy-Quadriplegia. With a clear understanding of his needs, the medical experts extended their support, referring him to MI-IDC. Access to assistive technology empowers and enables individuals and communities and is a key precondition for the realization of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. A thorough assessment was conducted, leading to a significant breakthrough – a customized wheelchair tailored to Bitupan’s unique requirements. This mobility aid became a beacon of empowerment, promising increased independence and mobility. Bitupan’s life has been profoundly transformed by the customizedwheelchair. With newfound mobility, he is no longer hindered by physical limitations. Attending school in the fifth standard at a government institution, Bitupan actively participates in educational pursuits and mingles with his peers. The wheelchair has not only facilitated his education but has also enhanced his social interactions, nurturing his holistic development.
Appropriate and timely intervention helped -Mr Sarad Lama, who was bedridden, to become mobile.
Mr. Sarad Lama, 45, a native of Darjeeling, West Bengal, was a successful contractor and took care of his family. In the early stages of the infection, he was unaware that he had acquired gangrene, and that the infection was growing within his body. He was unable to reach the hospital on time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. In 2020, his infection progressed to the point that his legs had to be amputated; since then, he has been confined within the four walls of his room.
He had plans to travel to Jaipur for his artificial limbs, but his uncle’ s acquaintance
in Bangalore introduced him to Mobility India. A virtual assessment was done by Mobility India’s clinical team, and he was recommended to perform pre-prosthetic
stump management until he could visit Mobility India, along with virtual assistance provided during the entire process. He was reassessed on his first day at Mobility India to determine
whether his stump was suitable for the fitting of a prosthesis. The virtual sessions were very helpful to him in bringing maturity to his stump for the fitting of a prosthesis. Sarad Lama’s rehabilitation costs have been sponsored by Global Calcium. At MI, he was fitted with the Stubbies (a short prosthesis commonly used by bilateral amputees). He wore the 18-inch tall stubbies, which did not have knee joints, and trained for a few days to regain stability while being monitored by the clinical team. His balance improved with each passing day.
It was on the 9th day that he was able to walk using Stubbies. As his
condition improved, the clinical team decided to increase the height of the stubbies by five inches, then train him for another four days until he regained his balance, and then fitted the knee joint to his prosthesis. He began training and was able to walk more easily and maintain better balance. Currently, he is using the prosthesis at home and practicing becoming accustomed to its use. His training is being monitored virtually by the team. In three month’s time, he will return to MI for a re-evaluation.
Sarath Lama quoted
“MI provided me with an excellent experience and the clinical team make me mobile again. They provided amazing services for people like us”
Mr. Budhicharan Hrangkhawl – The first student with speech and hearing impairment to overcome his disability and complete the ISPO Internationally accredited single discipline P & O course was an adopted child from a remote area of Tripura, in the Northeast region of India. His supportive parents played a crucial role in his journey.
The Ferrando School for Speech and Hearing in Agartala identified his skill and interest in learning different trades. His keen observation and ability to take responsibility led to his enrolment in the Lower Limb Prosthetics course. With hands-on practice and support from his peer group and trainers, he successfully graduated as an Associate Prosthetist in 2020.
Apart from academics, he actively participated in many cultural events, including the cultural fest MIRAAS. He was also the winner of the “JO MILLAR Memorial AWARD.”
Harshini Kriba
The Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) team from Mobility India has identified her situation. Due to her family’s financial constraints, she was not receiving adequate nutritious food, but with regular care, her health has been improving. She has recently started to engage more with her family.