Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

It is not uncommon for us to come across some real life story that is at once absorbing and elevating as it talks of some human misfortune and how the individual fought back and surmounted impossible odds. We try to derive inspiration from that individual’s experience. The more we understand his or her ordeal and the immensity of it, our own problems seem puny. Such stories – rather real life experiences are what we would like to tell ourselves and our children and exhort them to strive more and not give up easily when faced with ordeals in life. We bring you an update on one such inspiring story of an unsung heroine.
You would remember Sanya, the never-say-die girl who had met with a near-fatal accident in Kanpur in April 2007 as a truck went over her. She was grievously hurt in the lower half of her body that required her hospitalization in Kanpur for five months for grafting and other surgeries. Also, a hole was made in her belly and the excreta collected through a tube. In July she had been to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, Lucknow to meet a doctor who would operate on her to enable her rectum to function. At that time Sanya could neither sit up nor stand. The doctor told her mother that unless Sanya is able to sit up and or stands, he will not be able to perform the operation as it would require her to be on her feet within a week of the operation for the muscles to recuperate. So he prescribed certain physiotherapy exercises. Though it was painful, Sanya tried her best to sit and walk a few steps everyday. The family went to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital to meet the concerned doctor who said that he was leaving abroad for 3 months and that Sanya should go to AIIMS for further treatment.

Sanya came to AIIMS on Sept 25 and Dr Sahni checked Sanya and told them to get MRI and Endoscopy tests done. However, he felt that it was better for the family to continue to have the treatment from the same doctor at Lucknow. However as that doctor had gone abroad for three months to especially train in the surgery that was required for Sanya, they were to wait for his return. Her condition would not be affected by the delay. AIIMS has performed only 4 such operations in the last 10 years. The AIIMS doctor prescribed some medicines and exercises which would be useful for Sanya’s quick recovery.
When we met her at Delhi, Sanya was able to sit and walk but there was still a long way to go before she became normal. Sanya missed School and felt annoyed as to why such a thing happened to her. When we asked her what she would like to have as a gift, she expressed her interest in Harry Potter books. Deepalaya bought a series of 3 Harry Potter books and gave them to her.
Sanya’s father had been killed in a truck accident in 1997 almost at the same place where Sanya herself was injured in April 2007. The mother has been a brave woman fighting odds single handedly without much support. She expressed that she has seen the best of things and worst of things in people. Though she did not get help from people whom she expected to, she feels there are a lot of good and caring individuals around. She is full of optimism and has not given up hope. Her desire was to ultimately put Sanya back in school once the girl gained strength. She further wanted to start some business so that there is some family income.
The latest (20th November) on Sanya is that now she is commuting to school and preparing for her pre Board examinations which is underway from 19th to the 30th of November. Now the family has decided to have the operation at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, Lucknow in December. The daily physiotherapy treatment has helped Sanya to recover. Sanya’s mother is on the look out for a part time job.
Sanya’s story was aired in Aaj Tak TV in May and Rtn. T.K. Mathew, Secretary & Chief Executive of Deepalaya had pledged an amount of Rs One lakh to her. This amount was subsequently sent to her on May 23, 2007. Deepalaya is continuously in touch with Sanya’s family since then.

The ordeal that the family has gone through has taken its psychological toll. Sanya, though a cheerful child, has been sapped by the ordeal. Her brother who used to come first in class has slipped in his academic performances.
More than money, it is some emotional support and words of cheer that would make this family of the three who struggle daily to take heart and continue the journey. They have done a long and arduous journey and it is just a short distance to go before Sanya is near normal again.

Do positively write a letter (either soft copy or hard copy) letting them know that you care. We shall forward the same to Sanya. The address is: Miss. Sanya Singh, C/o Deepalaya, 46, Institutional Area, D Block, Janakpuri,
New Delhi 110 058. Tel No. 28522251/28525908.