AMPUTATION due to accidents or disease is common among underprivileged children whose families do not have the finances for specialized care and treatment. Unable to afford medical alternatives, children’s limbs are often amputated as a last resort to save their lives. But a child living as an amputee is difficult. This is even more so for children in extreme poor conditions. The organization Narayan Seva Sansthan shares that these children are unable to move, walk, run or play and often have to drag themselves across the floor to get somewhere. These disabilities prevent them from going to school, taking care of themselves or even carrying out basic tasks around the house. This impacts their lives, their futures and restricts them to the confines of their homes.
Narayan Seva Sansthan is an NGO that gives free prosthetic limbs to children with disabilities. This empowers the children and helps them participate in different areas of life in their homes, neighborhoods, schools and society at large. But in addition to the practical benefits of using aids such as prosthetic limbs, the mental health of the children also improves. Their self-esteem and outlook on life goes from bleak to bright and their improved mental and emotional well being gives them the confidence and positivity to look at their lives through a more optimistic lens.
Impact of amputations on children
“There was water on the ground, right next to an electric pole. A child who was walking nearby reached out to the pole to balance himself and he was electrocuted. He fell down and his father rushed forward to help him. His father was also electrocuted, but died instantly. His brother then came forward to help, was electrocuted too and lost both of his arms.”
This is the story of just one child whose life changed forever because of an accident. Unable to cope with life without his arms, the child’s life spiraled downward and he lost his will to live. He was depressed, stopped going to school and locked himself inside his home – until Narayan Seva Sansthan found him. The NGO examined the child, observed his habits and created prosthetic limbs for him. Once the prosthetics were fitted, it took the child some time to get adjusted to his new arms. But for the first time, there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He understood that he had been given a second chance at life. Things started looking up for the child and because of the prosthetics, he started thinking about going back to school, learning new skills and planning for his future.
How Narayan Seva Sansthan helps disabled children
Founded in 1985, Narayan Seva Sansthan has spent almost 40 years helping children whose lives have fallen apart because of limb amputations. By providing prosthetic limbs, Narayan Seva Sansthan enables a radical 180-transformation in the psychological and physical life of each child. The children have a reason to smile and develop a more optimistic outlook since they have been given a chance to rebuild their lives. Since its inception, the NGO has helped 4.35 lakh children by providing free prosthetic limbs and helping them stand on their own feet.
Narayan Seva Sansthan has advanced and state-of-the-art machines that can produce laminated prosthetic limbs and carbon fiber prosthetics. Each prosthetic costs around ₹10,000 to ₹12,000. The NGO is working toward helping another 2,000 children who are in urgent need of care and prosthetic limbs, but Narayan Seva Sansthan needs the support of compassionate donors to afford the prosthetics. To support Narayan Seva Sansthan, you can donate here.
How prosthetic limbs can transform a life
Prashant Agarwal from Narayan Seva Sansthan shares that “because of road and train accidents, children lose their hands and legs, crawl on the ground or remain indoors for the rest of their lives.” This is exactly the situation that Narayan Seva Sansthan wants to rescue children from. By giving prosthetic limbs to poor children with amputated limbs, the NGO can uplift their lives, help their families and assist their communities.
He goes on to share that “many parents feel their children are better off dead than having amputated limbs; it pains me to hear this. The condition of children with amputated limbs is dreadful. Bright children without a care in the world suddenly lose all hope and feel that they can no longer accomplish anything as an amputee”. But Prashant is both passionate and hopeful that prosthetic limbs can help the children overcome their mental and physical hurdles.
Help underprivileged child amputees get free prosthetic limbs
Poverty worsens any situation. For children with amputated limbs, this is an all too familiar story. Their families cannot afford medical care or medical aids to assist with their disabilities and as a result, the disabled children lose all hope and stop dreaming, stop learning and stop living. But NGOs like Narayan Seva Sansthan are stepping forward to reach these underprivileged children and create prosthetic limbs to help them live better lives. Narayan Seva Sansthan needs support to cover the cost of making prosthetic limbs for 2,000 more child amputees. To support Narayan Seva Sansthan:
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Shirley has been in the development sector for over 10 years and is passionate about making a change in the world around her, including adopting dogs and writing to make a difference.
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