The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Etched in their memory

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Etched in their memory

D. Radhakrishnan

UDHAGAMANDALAM: Wet and nippy conditions notwithstanding, 42 haemophilia patients from various parts of Tamil Nadu enjoyed attending a camp, organised by the Coimbatore chapter of the Haemophilia Society of India, in this hill station.

The three-day camp, conducted in association with the Abu Babaji Charitable Mission Trust and Nilgiris Religious Integration Peace Committee, concluded on Tuesday. With the malady which causes severe bleeding from even a slight injury, preventing the participants from taking any risk in the hostile weather and terrain, they were confined to their rooms during most part of the camp.

However, the participants, in the age group of 10-20 — including six girls from Chennai, Karaikudi, Salem, Namakkal, Coimbatore, Erode, Coonoor and Udhagamandalam — learnt a great deal not only about their physical condition but also various other things, says Shanthi Mala, secretary of the Coimbatore chapter.

Since the children, many of them wards of casual labourers, were away from their parents, they got a chance to experiment with things they could do independently. With outdoor activities banned, they were exposed to physiotherapy.

However, the sightseeing plans were not affected: they braved the icy winds and incessant rain to visit the Government Botanical Garden and the Ooty Lake.

The number of children estimated to be suffering from haemophilia in the country is one lakh; the treatment is expensive.

Two of the participants, Naveen and Nithish, studying Standard IX in Coimbatore, said they would cherish the memories of the camp and they looked forward to visiting the hill station again. B.K.Krishnan, president, Nilgiris Religious Integration Peace Committee, said he derived immense satisfaction from extending a helping hand to the haemophilia patients.

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