The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Walking together… for a cause

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 26, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Walking together… for a cause

Staff Reporter

These people have not allowed a neurological disease to interfere with
their lives

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

HAND IN HAND: Students, NCC cadets and members of Multiple Sclerosis Society of India taking part in a walk in Bangalore on Sunday.

BANGALORE: N.B. Vijayakumar was confined to the wheelchair when he developed weakness in his legs a few days after undergoing an abdomen operation in 1996. He was diagnosed as suffering from multiple sclerosis, a neurological disease of the central nervous system, crippling his movement. This physical constraint and the treatment expenses involved have not in any way deterred him from carrying out his work in the Police Department. Similar is the condition of Raghavendra V. who works in a private factory. He is confined to the wheelchair for nearly four hours in the morning when there is numbness in his legs.

These two and Margaret, all on wheelchairs, kept their physical constraints at bay and actively participated in the “Walk as One for Social Cause” held here on Sunday.

“We want to show that this disease will not in any way hamper living a good life,” Mr. Vijayakumar said. The event was jointly organised by the National Cadet Crops Directorate, Karnataka and Goa, and Multiple Sclerosis Society of India. The event also marked the 59th raising day of the NCC.

A large number of NCC cadets and schoolchildren participated in the 3-km walk encircling the Ulsoor Lake. The walk was flagged off by actor and BJP MLC Srinath and Deputy Director General NCC (Karnataka and Goa) Air Commodore P. Rajesh Rao.

Mr. Vijayakumar, Mr. Raghavendra and Ms. Margaret led the run. After the run, the participants also donated blood.

Air Cmdre Rao said the event was organised to create awareness about the disease that affects the brain and the spinal cord. Though neither fatal nor contagious, the disease cannot be cured and patients have to live with it. The treatment was costly as the patient has to take an injection twice a week that costs around Rs. 16,000.

“We want to spread the message about the society that provides the much needed financial and psychological support to the victims,” he said. This was also a part of the NCC Directorate’s work to ingrain social commitment among the cadets. “We want the cadets to understand the problems faced by people,” said S.B. Konnur, a Commander in the NCC Directorate.

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