Sita Shahi's Story

Sita aspires to become an advocate for change

Sita Shahi, a resident of far-western Nepal, endured a traumatic incident at the age of 9 when she was struck by a motorbike in her village, resulting in severe injuries to her left leg. Unfortunately, her family's financial constraints prevented her from receiving timely treatment, and she suffered through months of pain with multiple fractures in her tibia.

As a consequence of the untreated fractures, her bone fused in a misaligned position, leading to the development of tibia vara—a condition where the lower leg bends inward. The resulting deformity not only restricted her mobility but also subjected her to ridicule from her community, who believed that her disability would hinder her chances of marriage. The prevailing social stigma further exacerbated her situation, forcing her to abandon her education and isolate herself from society.



Fortunately, Sita’s life took a positive turn when she was referred to HRDC by a previously treated patient from her neighbouring village. Under the expert care of HRDC's deformity correction team, she underwent complex surgical procedures to correct her leg deformity. Following surgery, she received compassionate nursing and intensive physiotherapy, which played crucial roles in her rehabilitation journey.

Today, Sita's leg is straightened, allowing her to resume her education and contribute to household chores. She now lives independently with renewed dignity and optimism for the future. Her experience has inspired her to challenge the negative perceptions surrounding disabilities in her community, and she aspires to become an advocate for change.