Abhishek refuses to let confidence paralyse

Abhishek refuses to let confidence paralyse
Friday February 9 2007 10:40 IST





KOZHIKODE: One would never forget him for his smiling face, energetic voice and the confidence that emanate from the frail physique.

Setting aside his disability and pain, Abhishek, a 14-year-old student at Azchavattom Government Higher Secondary School near Mankavu, is quite sure that he would become a computer engineer in future. And even the Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which has paralysed him below the waist, cannot ebb out the confidence from this ninth standard student, hailing from Kommeri.

In spite of being bedridden for the past six years he has been among the top students in his class. But fate is yet to be lenient to Abhishek, who is now deprived of proper medical care owing to financial crisis that has gripped his family.

He has not received any sort of treatment since the two-month ayurvedic treatment he underwent at the Indian Herbal Institution at Mannarkad in January-February 2006, with the financial assistance from teachers and the PTA.

‘‘His muscles started weakening when he was in third standard. He got paralysed below waist soon and it seems that there is no medicine in allopathy which can bring him back to normalcy,’’ says his mother Sreeja, a housewife.

Abhishek is being brought to school by his father in an autorickshaw and he needs the support of at least two people to attend classes. ‘‘We arranged classroom in the ground floor for his convenience, though he has to be taken to the first floor to attend computer classes,’’ said school headmistress Alicia George.

Supported by the PTA fund, he was getting a free education, and some financial assistance came from the city Corporation last year. ‘‘But we will not be able to help him this year owing to paucity of funds,’’ the headmistress said.

‘‘He is an excellent student and always in the top rung. But he is now finding it difficult to draw the geometric sketches and needs the support of two students to sit properly,’’ said his classteacher K Chithra. He was good at drawing and was actively taking part in indoor games besides writing poems, she added.

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore had confirmed that he was suffering from muscular dystrophy. Since then, his father Sunil, a labourer, has been trying hard to find money for his son’s treatment.

The disease, which could even be fatal, slowly affects the functioning of muscles as one grows old. It would result in paralysis of legs and arms. It is found in children below 15 and is mostly genetic. ‘‘Though a complete cure may not be possible, there are treatments to control the disease,’’ said Kozhikode Government Ayurveda Hospital Superintendent Dr P K Venugopal.

Philanthropists who would like to help Abhishek overcome his affliction may contact school headmistress Alicia George (0495-2332620) or his parents (0495-6521904).