Baby

Baby is an inspiration not just for her family and friends, but also for the students that she teaches at a primary school in rural Andhra Pradesh. A teacher by profession, she makes learning Telugu and Social Studies so much fun for her students. In fact, even during the lockdown, when the classes were shifted to the online mode, she ensured that her students continued to learn and gain the best out of the situation.
Diagnosed with post-polio syndrome at a young age, Baby’s dream to study and become a teacher were never limited by her immobility. Baby has been receiving rehabilitation support through our partner organisation District Disability Rehabilitation Center (DDRC), East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh and this provided wings to her dream to be a financially independent individual.

Divyashree

Six years old Divyashree, diagnosed with cerebral palsy has been receiving rehabilitation support through our partner organisation Margadarshi. Divyashree’s father, Gopal, a painter by profession and the sole earner of the family lost his job due to COVID-19. With the help of our donors, supporters and partners, Motivation India provided Divyashree and her family with food kits so that they didn’t have to struggle for essential supplies to survive.

Venkateswarlu

40 years old Venkateswarlu, a wheelchair user with spinal cord injury, received essential health kits within the safety of his home during COVID-19. The kits helped him to manage his bladder and bowel incontinence Issues. Venkateswarlu has been receiving rehabilitation support through our partner organisation DDRC East Godavari District.

Mohammed

Mohammed has also been left disabled by polio contracted at a young age. Being the oldest in a family of nine, he always longed to support his parents and tried to do this with his ALIMCO tricycle, which due to its poor fit, caused him injuries often. Now that he has received an appropriate tricycle, he enjoys his 15 kilometre commute to Jeevan Jyoti, where he works as a tailor.

Pavitra

Pavithra sustained a spinal cord injury after a fall from a terrace. Her situation led to her becoming depressed and unable to complete her education, until she began to use a wheelchair and resumed her education. She has great hopes and aspirations for her future.

Ashwini

Ashwini describes herself as a bird without wings, being confined to her home as a result of contracting polio at the age of three. After futile attempts to use many different types of wheelchairs, she was introduced to Motivation India, and is now mobile and active. Her spirits are soaring and her life is fulfilled.

Vinay Rao, Bangalore, Karnataka

‘I am happy to say that I am the sole breadwinner in my family’ Renewed dreams!

30 year old Vinay Rao recalls that as a teenager and a young man, he had dreams like every other guy – to be educated, pursue a career and earn money. He wanted to look after his aging parents and settle down.

In 2008, his dreams came crashing down when he was involved in a train accident, which left him without the use of his legs.

Overnight I was transformed from an independent active young man to someone who was totally dependent on others for even the most mundane tasks. This left me discouraged and humiliated. However, I did not give up and continue to pursue my education and a career, although I was still dependent on other to take me around and get things done.

With the help of a Motivation wheelchair, I am now able to be a fully active member of society. I now work for Vindhya Info. Tech., and am happy to say that I am the sole breadwinner in my family. I am able to support my aging parents, but my dreams of wealth and comfort have been transformed into dreams of helping others like myself. I would like to see people like me able to move around and not be limited by a disability.

My body will always remain the same, but my dreams have been renewed!

Agatha, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

“It feels like magic began once these wheels came into my life!”

Redefined by Purpose!

I am Agatha and art is my passion! I feel like I was created for art! Nature is my favourite theme and I really enjoy drawing peacocks, trees and greenery. Not only do I love painting and creating crafts as a hobby, it is also my livelihood and I earn about 6000 rupees a month from designing greeting cards, clothing, candles and bags for Christian Missions Charitable Trust. In the evenings I teach others, especially underprivileged children, to paint.

My life has not always been this way. There was a time when I was defined by my disability. As a baby I was abandoned on a garbage heap and rescued by a sanitation worker. My childhood was spent moving from one orphanage to another, marred by disability after I got polio. My mobility was limited to indoor movements and I was completely dependent on my caregivers, leading to my inability to participate in social activities and giving me a low self-esteem.

It was only after Motivation intervened and provided with me a wheelchair as well as training that I was able to gain better mobility, participate in social functions and activities and get involved in such a meaningful livelihood. This has boosted my self-confidence and I am now a productive member of society. I can say my life has been transformed because of what Motivation India has done. It feels like magic began once these wheels came into my life! I feel very accomplished, but it does not stop with me. My aim in life is to help other women who are bound by disability to gain their freedom like I did.

Samuel Ebenezer, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Wheelchair Pilot!

Every child dreams of being a super hero…Samuel truly is one!”

When our son Samuel was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of three months, our hearts were heavy and we did not know what to do for him. As he grew, it became harder and harder to perform even every-day, regular activities as he needed to be carried everywhere. We were able to get him a wheelchair, but that turned out to be a disaster as it was nothing more than a chair with wheels, and did not serve Samuel’s needs. We despaired as we watched his self-esteem sink and he would not even look us in the eye, or communicate properly.

We decided to get help in the form of physiotherapy and Motivation India stepped in with a suitable wheelchair – completely attuned to the needs of our little boy! He was also taught how to use it. It was an amazing experience watching our boy slowly gain the use of his arms through physiotherapy and become mobile with the help of his wheelchair. But more important than mobility, it has been wonderful watching him gain confidence and engage with other people.

Samuel is now a vivacious member of our family, goes to school and participates in all the activities a four-year-old should participate in! He is like a wheelchair pilot! We have reason to hope for a very bright and happy future for our son!

Sameer Khan, Mirjapur, Uttar Pradesh

I am Sameer Khan and I live with my parents and 6 siblings. I have been unable to use my right leg since age six when I was injured severely in an accident. I did have a wheelchair, but it was broken in part and I experienced a lot of pain while using it. Since this wheelchair was large, it was difficult to propel and also could not be stored easily. However, this wheelchair helped me earn an income from begging in Bangalore to support my family back at home.

When I received my wheelchair from Motivation, I was surprised by the fact that such a wheelchair existed – a wheelchair that was totally suited to my needs! I am now able to move around freely for the first time at age 24! I can do all my personal work by myself without help from anyone and I can go out to work.

I am now planning to start a small business to continue supporting my family. Motivation has led me to think that nothing is impossible. My life has received a new push to get rolling!

Rama Mondal, Baradhan, West Bengal

Rama Mondal was born with a severe disability. She needed help with everything, beginning from personal care to attending school. Her mobility was restricted to crawling or being carried.

Rama used a tricycle for some time. However, this was very large, difficult to propel and painful to use. The biggest problems came when she had to enter a classroom at school or a doorway at home.

‘I spent so much of my time and energy feeling embarrassed and humiliated. Then I received a Motivation wheelchair, along with training on how to use it. The wheelchair was the right fit for me and allowed me to move freely at home as well as outside. I even got the opportunity to participate in the Marathon this year!

It changed the way I moved – my confidence – and I felt like other 18 year olds.

am confident that my dreams for the future will not be restricted in any way and that I will succeed in whatever I put my mind to. Thank you Motivation!’

I am an active, school-going teenager. I have many dreams for my future education and career. I live a satisfied and content life.’

HARJOT

Harjot is a happy eight-year-old child with a curious mind and a glint in his eyes! After his rough beginning he has shown us, and himself, that nothing is impossible!

At the tender age of three Harjot lost his father. His mother was left alone to raise the family. Due to circumstance, she also left the family. Harjot was completely dependent, but was left alone by those dearest to him.

When Motivation stepped in, his life was changed forever! He was fully assessed and treated. Harjot received the care he needed as well as a suitable wheelchair. Now at age eight, Harjot attends school, and leads the life of a happy and contented child. He has achieved a high level of mobility and is thriving. We are sure he will do very well in life!