The Challenge
When Siddhanshi was born five years ago as the first child
of Kamal and Dulari, residents of Gosainganj, Lucknow, the entire household was
filled with joy. But when they noticed their newborn’s feet were twisted, their
happiness turned into despair.
Neighbours began teasing her mother, saying she had given
birth to a child with bent legs. Rumours spread that the baby was cursed and
that her presence could bring misfortune. The family faced isolation, and
Kamal, unable to bear the humiliation, moved his wife and daughter to a rented
house in another locality.
Kamal, a daily wage labourer earning between Rs. 300 and
Rs. 500 a day, struggled to make ends meet. Yet he and his wife were determined
to find help for their daughter. They visited several hospitals, but the cost
of treatment filled them with worry.
The Turning Point
One day, the couple met the ASHA worker from the Community
Health Centre in Gosainganj. She reassured them and connected to the Rashtriya
Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) team for a check-up. After examination, doctors
confirmed that the baby had clubfoot, a condition that could be completely
corrected with proper treatment over time.
They also shared that there was a clubfoot clinic at the
district hospital, where the quality treatment was completely free of cost.
For Kamal and Dulari, this was a moment of relief and hope.
At the district hospital, they found not only medical care but compassion and
encouragement. With support from the doctor and the Foundation’s program
executive, they began regular visits for treatment.
The Journey
Over the next few months, Siddhanshi underwent a series of
castings, a tenotomy, and later wore special shoes and a connecting bar.
Slowly, her legs began to straighten. Each visit brought visible progress and
renewed strength to her parents.
The Outcome
Today, five years later, Siddhanshi not only walks but runs
and plays with other children. She is a student at Blue Bird School, Lucknow,
studying in LKG. Kamal and Dulari have returned to their home, filled with
pride and dignity.
Kamal proudly says, "My daughter is not a curse, she
is completely healthy now." The same neighbours who once avoided the
family now praise them for their courage and perseverance.
Kamal adds, "Now everyone in our village knows that
clubfoot is not a curse, it can be cured with proper treatment."
A Message of Hope
Kamal and Dulari express deep gratitude. "The entire
treatment was free of cost," they said. "This is a wonderful
government initiative in coordination with the Anushkaa Foundation. We are so
happy to see our daughter going to school, playing, jumping, and running."