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One man's crusade
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Though afflicted with muscular dystrophy, Arokiadoss is doing all he could to bring succour to those suffering a similar fate
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THIS IS a story of how a man who is suffering from a debilitating illness is helping disabled people up the stiles. Thirty-three-year-old Ariokiadoss, struck with muscular dystrophy, is that worthy who pulls more than his weight. He is running a voluntary organisation named Snehithan (98404-97010) for the disabled at T. P. Chatram, near Shenoy Nagar.
Snehithan provides crutches and medical aid to the differently-abled people who are also economically disadvantaged. Arokiadoss' achievement is greatly commendable in that he is himself from a poor family. When he was finding it difficult to make both ends meet, ECOMWELL, a voluntary organisation in Shenoy Nagar, gave him support.
"By taking in Arokiadoss, we were helping a differently-abled man who was also weathering a grave personal crisis. Today, that man is leading many others like him to stability and purpose in life," says Narayanan, coordinator of ECOMWELL.
"When Arokiadoss came to ECOMWEL about four years ago, the Tamil Nadu Slum Clerance Board threatened him with eviction from his hut for non-payment of some taxes. ECOMWELL extended the amount to him as a loan when all other sources had showed an empty hand. Arokiadoss promptly repaid it," remembers Narayanan.
A few months later, Arokiadoss came to ECOMWELL writhing in pain due to acute pancreatitis. ECOMWELL came to his rescue once again by reaching prompt medical attention to him.
In time, Arokiadoss gained good health, but lost his job in the voluntary organisation that he was then employed in.
"It struck us that Arokiadoss would tie in well with us. We gave him an attender's job," says Narayanan. "His job entailed opening the office's doors every morning and closing them in the evening. That was how Arokiadoss' stint at ECOMWELL began - in a very silent way. What Arokiadoss probably did not realise at that time was that a new door was opening in his life."
One day, Narayanan showed Arokiadoass the door! "You have lost your job, boy."
Arokiadoss could not believe his ears. Narayanan smiled and clarified that instead of being employed at ECOMWELL, Arokiadoss would henceforth run an organisation for the disabled. And ECOMWELL will extend all help to him to do so. Thus was born Snehithan.
For more details contact Snehithan, no. 99, T.P. Chatram, Ist Street, Shenoy Nagar, ph: 98404-97010.
PRINCE FREDERICK
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