The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Much more than lending a hand

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Thursday, Jun 23, 2011
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Much more than lending a hand

Staff Reporter

The M.S. Ramaiah Limb Centre restores dignity to people with disabilities

The centre's services give the disabled a chance to be independent
Treatment at the artificial limb camp changed everything, says patient

TOP-NOTCH: Those below the poverty line can receive high quality treatment free.

Bangalore: The air hummed with anticipation at the M.S. Ramaiah Limb Centre, where people with disabilities from across Karnataka arrived for a doctor's appointment they hoped would change their lives forever.

They had come on hearing about the free artificial limb camp, which offers those below the poverty line a chance to receive high quality treatment and physical aids, completely free of cost.

Independence

The hopefuls looked forward to the dramatic improvement that proper treatment and prosthetic aids would make to their lives. And what they yearned for the most was the chance to be independent.

Kodandaramaiah, whose movement was severely impaired by an accident, confirmed that with the aid of the calliper he is now able to walk on his own and keep a job.

Similarly, Sankarappa, another patient, said that once he was fitted with a prosthetic arm, he would be able to begin work at a security company and start earning for himself once again.

Reassurance

The free and quality treatment offered by the centre also alleviated the worries of entire families.

Manjunath, who was accompanying his father, Bheemappa, explained his anxiety given that his parents live in Davangere and he works in Bangalore. Once the father was fitted with a new prosthetic leg, the son would be much more confident of his comfort, safety and, yes, dignity.

His father would stand a much higher chance of being perceived as ‘normal' instead of facing any stigma associated with being disabled. One of the many success stories at the Centre is its receptionist, Pushpavati, who could not overstate her appreciation of the treatment she received for polio. “It changed everything,” she said. She first underwent surgery here and then spent six months in rehabilitation. Everything was paid for through the Rotary Matching Grant given to the Centre.

Now, with the aid of her calliper, she walks with confidence, her limp barely discernable, and her salary contributing to the family income. As one of the doctors here quipped: “She now stands on her own feet!”

For those interested

Those seeking aid from the Centre are advised to bring photo ID and any confirmation of their economic status, such as a BPL card.

Call 080-40502202 for more details.

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