Miracle happened at HRDC

A 15 years old Saraswoti Danuwar is the third sibling of the Danuwar Family (father late Bhakta Bahadur and mother Santa Kumari), from Sindhupalchowk district. There are 6 members of the family including 2 brothers, 3 sisters and mother. As a widowed, mother Santa is compelled to take all responsibilities of the upbringing of all the children by herself. Mother Santa struggles very hard and goes out for daily wages, and earns their livings as they do not have any other source of income. Parents noticed Saraswoti's deformity in her both feet when Saraswoti started crawling with mild equines. Due to the poverty and illiteracy, parents could never take her for medical intervention. They thought it was the curse of previous life and nothing could be done. Gradually the problem increased. When she crawled, other children made fun out of her copying her creeping walking pattern. This made Saraswoti very worried. Saraswoti is a very curios girl and she was enrolled in the Indreshwor Higher Secondary School, Melamchi and got an opportunity to stay in the school hostel. She had to use a wheelchair for mobility during school and this made her quite difficult as accessibility was a big problem. She was willing to go to hospital but they had no money for treatment. Finally, a HRDC field worker found and brought her to HRDC together with the mother Santa. After a thorough check-up and investigations, the HRDC team diagnosed as "Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC)" with bilateral clubfoot deformity and immediately admitted her for medical intervention.



Saraswoti and mother Santa were counseled about multi-approach treatment and rehabilitation protocols along with the HRDC Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. The first surgery at left leg was successful. Left ankle-foot orthosis was provided. Molded ankle-foot orthosis and other required services including physiotherapy, nursing care, alternative dressing, personal hygiene care, etc. and a walker also provided to Saraswoti. Saraswoti is in grade 6 at Indreshwor Higher Secondary School, Melamchi. She aims to become a good social worker and always supports others whenever she can. She expresses, "It is a miracle that has happened to me through HRDC". Experiencing the positive changes in her life, she further adds. Everything is possible at HRDC". The entire cost is being borne by HRDC through the AHF funding. Saraswoti and mother highly praise the AHF and HRDC for the treatment support.