Success Stories
Vikas Deepti - Promoting Life and Light
SUCCESS STORY OF JOHN KUJUR
I am John Kujur and I joined Vikas Deepti in 1998 when I was only 5 years old. I stayed in Vikas Deepti for 10 years (1998-2008). During this period, the institution immensely contributed to the improvement in my health condition and academic career. I contracted polio in my childhood and my legs were paralysed. It disabled my legs and made me crawl like kids. In Vikas Deepti, I was provided with medical treatment and prosthetic appliances, and it helped me walk again. I completedmy schooling up to 10th standard through the institution. Then, I was sent to New Orissa Higher Secondary School, Gaibira, Sundargarh for intermediate and then to GangadharMeher (Autonomous) College, Sambalpur for my graduation. After completing graduation, I secured a seat in the University of Hyderabad, Telangana for my post-graduate degree in Economics. After this, I was selected for integrated MPhil-PhD programme in Economics at Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. I also secured University Grant Commission fellowship for my research work. In 2017, I completed my MPhil and currently, I am pursuing PhD degree in Economics.
My successful journey in academiaand improvement in my health condition are attributed tothe conducive environment and health care services of Vikas Deepti.The overall development of a person depends upon the inclusivity of the socio-economic environment. In a society with stereotypes and discrimination, mental and educational developments of underprivileged sections of the society are constrained in many ways. In such existing impediments, I was fortunate to be brought upin the harmonious and inclusive environment of Vikas Deepti. The institution immensely contributed towards my physical, mental and spiritual development. It provided me with the strength and courage to fight the stereotypes insociety and taught me to be self-reliant. When I stepped out from secured zone of Vikash Deepti, I had to encounter with many odds. However, the acquired morale and courage could help me to overcome the barriers. Currently, I am continuingjourney to achieve my goal in academia.
When I recall my childhood days, I cannot inhibit myself fromacknowledging the invaluable contribution of Vikas Deepti.I thank its founder Fr. John Maliekal and allthe staff membersso much for all the support I have received. The institution has uplifted the lives of thousands of physically challenged persons from different parts of Odisha by providing various kinds of support.Without Vikas Deepti,it would not have been possible for many to come out of the vulnerable life. We are very fortunate to have an institution like Vikas Deepti in our state Odisha, the state known for its poverty and backwardness.In such poverty-ridden state, it is commonly accepted fact that the disabled persons get meagre attention of the state government and its mechanisms. Under such circumstances,the existence of institutions like Vikas Deepti has provided a ray of hope for underprivileged sections of the society. Lastly, I pray and hope Vikas Deepti to flourish and continue to bring smile on the faces ofthe downtrodden and stigmatised population by uplifting their lives.
SUCCESS STORY OF AMBIKA BABA
Our lives are not determined by what happens to us , but how we react to what happens. Not by what life brings us but the attitude we bring to life. Yes, if I say the successful life history of Ambika Baba, in a nutshell, the success of her life is dedicated to her attitude to life. Painful and discouraging moments of her life have made her strong and active.
Ambika is the first child of Mr.Daud Baba. She is from Paharsirgida Christian Para at Bargarh district. When she was born she was fine other than her both legs as reported by her parents. Then only some of the relatives told about child’s leg is internally rotated. Then and there itself they took the child to a Paediatrician. Doctor advised to have POP for six terms for both the legs, because she was having CTEV. They did it but the result was not so satisfactory. Child grew up but the legs were internally rotated. Some of the CBR workers of Vikas Deepti advised the parents to come over to the hostel and have assessment and therapy. They brought the child here on 26.06.2006. Along with the therapy the child was taken to a Orthopaedic Surgeon and suggested to have a corrective surgery. Child was operated at CMH hospital and the correction was done, post-operative care took place at Vikas Deepti under a staff nurse. Child improved in her health and CTEV is almost corrected.
Along with the nursing care she was provided with an AFO bilateral. She had practised with AFO for walking and balancing. Slowly she improved her mobility after which she was sent to the Vikas Jyoti School to continue her Primary education. She was good in studies. After her primary studies she was sent to KristoJyoti High School for her secondary education. She completed her matriculation with first division. Along with her studies she was given continuous physiotherapy, with that she improved in balance and in mobility and now she is able to manage by herself. After her matriculation she was admitted in Women’s college at Bargarh for her plus two studies. She completed her Plus 2 with very good marks and at present she is pursuing her Plus 3 in Attabira College.
SUCCESS STORY OF HIMANSU BAG
Himansu Bag is the first born of Mr.Dhaja Bag and Mrs. Sabitri Bag, born on 14 April 2004. As every parent, his parents also were eagerly waiting for the first born, but for their surprise or shock this baby was born with under developed limbs that means for the lower limbs he has only thigh, and from knee to below part of the lower limbs were not there. And concern about the upper limbs hands were very small and instead of palm and fingers he is having sole and toes. This created a terrible situation in the family as well as among the villagers. Because of the superstition within the people some of them believed it as a curse from God and others as gift from God. But when coming to practical life,the parents were in real tension what to do with this special child.
When he completed his Anganwadi at his village, his parents brought him to Vikas Deepti. As he is a special child,parents were not able to teach him ADL and other needs of him. With the help of the staff at Vikas Deepti he picked up his ADL, writing skills etc. He began his schooling at Vikas Jyoti primary school at Mundapada, Bargarh.
He was provided with a prosthesis with shoe adjusted for his mobility. He got training in writing with the help of both hands since he is not able to hold anything with one hand. He is very good in his studies and other curricular activities. He is a good dancer, able to draw beautiful and meaningful pictures. He is very particular to attend the Grass Root Comics conducted by CHAI –LF with Vikas Deepti. He has got ambition and conviction about life that he wanted to become a collector. Keeping aside all his limitations and troubles, he is trying his level best to reach his destination in life.
SUCCESS STORY OF SIMA ROUTIA
When there is nothing to hope for today’s life then why should we think about a better tomorrow…. this was the sigh of Sima’s mother when we met her at the first time in her house which looks like a hut. We spend a lot time with that mother, to make her understand that if she cooperates with us there will be a better tomorrow. Because she was disappointed with life and God telling why he gave her a disable child, sickly husband and poverty in life. Yes, SimaRoutia is the first born child of Mr.RajendraRoutia and Mrs.SamariRoutia, born on 05-July-2005. Delivery was at home and the care giver told her baby is cute but her right leg is medially rotated position, what we call in medical term CTEV.
While seeing her leg and its posture her mother became sad and after few months they have taken her to different village doctors, who could do nothing for the child. Later the poverty hit family fled to some interior village and there the child got hardly any care. When she was 9 years old again family of her came back to the previous village for livelihood .There one of the CBR worker met her during her survey and was admitted in Vikas Deepti. This was a new chapter in the life of Sima. When sister and CBR worker met the parents and made them understand that what we are going to do for the child. First of all we convinced her to send her child to the school daily. Along with alternative days CBR worker visited their home and done necessary therapy under the guidance of sister from Vikas Deepti.
Later we took her to hospital to have a consultation with an Ortho Surgeon and he agreed to do the corrective surgery. After the surgery and post-operative care she was given daily therapy and she gained a real correction of CTEV. Then she was provided with AFO for the support and with that she had gait training. At present she can walk without any support. She is very good in studies, and it is her ambition to become a doctor and she says first and foremost when I become a doctor, I will take care of the persons with disability because with the help of Vikas Deepti I’m helped and the same way I will also help the people who are in real need. Thank you Vikas Deepti for your kind consideration and help in the life of Sima Routia
SUCCESS STORY OF SUMIT KULLU
The day I’m able to walk by myself will be the happiest day in my life and as I’m helped by others I also will help others to put the step forward…..it is called determined determination, that came from a nine year old boy, named SumitKullu. He is the second son of Mr.RemishKullu and Mrs.PratimaKullu, who was born on 4th September, 2007. His parents prayerfully waited for a son and when he was born it was a shock for them that his legs were medially rotated. Parents took him to doctors and after the doctor tried to give better treatment and bring him back to the fullness of health, but for their disappointment, as he grew his legs were all the more medially rotated and TA became tightened and because of that he developed toe walking.
Later, they happened to attend a camp conducted by government and they insisted the parents that, if he undergoes a surgery and then the use of callipers will help him to gain his normal mobility. So the parents brought him to Bargarh, to the Mission Hospital from there they got the information about Vikas Deepti. Since he is from an interior village and the follow up would be very difficult for the staff we admitted him in Vikas Deepti. After the assessment we began the therapy and ADL training for him. His improvement was very slow and he was sad in that too. Even though he was doing his schooling, he was not interested in study because peer group used to call him as limping boy or disabled boy, which was very painful for him. After few months he had a consultation with Ortho Surgeon and he suggested him to undergo one surgery which will enablehim to gain his mobility. So he was admitted and operated at Mission Hospital.
After the surgery and post-operative care, daily therapy was given for him. Along with it he was provided with KAFO with elbow crutches. He had gait training with the help of assistive devices and he improved a lot in it. At present he is able to walk without any external support, and he is really happy and thankful to Vikas Deepti for their timely care and support to meet the finance for the welfare of him. And it is something wonderful that after the corrective surgery there came a lot change in his behavioural pattern, and began to study with much interest. Thank you Vikas Deepti for bringing hope, light and life in Sumit Kullu.