Shailaja Is Excited To Receive A Wheel Chair

Rajaiah and his wife have a scrap shop where they buy old newspapers, bottles and other recyclable things....

Shailaja Is Excited To Receive A Wheel Chair

            Rajaiah and his wife have a scrap shop where they buy old newspapers, bottles and other recyclable things. They collect these by making rounds in different localities, going from one house to another in search of scrap. They have 3 children two daughters and a son. Shailaja is the youngest of all. Being the youngest, Shailaja is pampered in her family. Her parents like watching her play and talk with them and her friends; she is also a very good student.

When Shailaja was in her 3rd standard, she complained of pain in her legs while walking and playing. But here parents ignored it thinking that because she was so active and played a lot, the pain was a natural consequence. Shailaja also dismissed the pain for the same reason. But slowly she started losing strength in her legs and it was becoming very difficult for her to walk.

Unable to see the apple of their eyes suffer so much, her parents took her to a quack, who suggested a balm, which never worked on her. Later they took her to a massage centre in a nearby village and tried all kinds of native medicines but it was of no use. Three years have passed since then. Now Shailaja is in her 6^th standard and sadly her legs have lost their function permanently. She is unable to walk. The physically handicap certificate mentions that she is effected with “Cerebral palsy with Diplegia.” Despite the blow Shailaja wanted to pursue her education. Her parents never discouraged her from this. But Rajaiah who had no other option carried her to and from school every day. As Shailaja is growing up, it was becoming very difficult for him to continue. Rajaiah had to fulfill this responsibility along with the other duties he already had.

One day as Rajaiah was carrying her to school the local community leader Timothy stopped him on the way and enquired about his problems. It was then that he had found out about Shailaja and her struggle. Rajaiah explained their crisis to him with a heavy heart. He recounted to him how bubbly she was and now how she is dependent on them for everything.

After hearing the entire story, Timothy counseled and comforted Rajaiah with encouragement and inspiration. Timothy assured him that he would try to help Shailaja in going to school. Timothy knew about Operation Blessing India and the way many are being blessed through it, as he too had partnered with them earlier for a medical camp.

He approached OBI and explained the story of Shailaja. Understanding the need of Shailaja, OBI offered to give her a free wheelchair and told Timothy to bring her along with the parents to receive it. Shailaja, her parents and Timothy came to OBI and were eagerly awaiting the gift which they were to receive. Their wait ended as Dr.Rajesh, Director OBI gave Shailaja the much needed wheelchair. Shailaja received it with excitement and her happiness had no bounds as he rode her on her new wheel chair and explained to her and her parents how to use and maintain the wheelchair. This is the first time she sat on a wheelchair and she felt very comfortable. Rajaiah and his wife too were very happy seeing their daughter’s face which was lit up with joy and excitement. Seeing the joy on Shailaja’s face, Rajaiah said, “Thank you OBI for helping our daughter. Without your help it would have been very difficult for her mobility and we can’t afford to buy her a wheelchair with our meager income. This was really a timely help for not only our daughter but also for us. Now she can go to school on her own with her brother and sister.”

As they were aware of Shailaja’s enthusiasm to study, the OBI team gave her a school bag and books as an encouragement to do even more well in her studies. This was a complete surprise for her. This unexpected shower of blessings increased her joy even more. Rajaiah and his wife were moved by the kind love showered on their daughter. They had never expected that their daughter would be receiving so many gifts from OBI.

Shailaja also received a cap as a complement just to remind her that OBI really does care for her.