HEMOPHILICS------DON'T DESPAIR! Hemophilia is a life long disease. So what?
Thahir of Perakam village of Kerala is the son of a poor beedi factory worker. His is a case of severe hemophilia with Factor IX deficiency. He suffered from repeated bleeding episodes resulting in immobility of joints. He used to be carried by his parents to school. His daily chores could also be done with the help of his parents and siblings. Yet he successfully completed SSLC. When in 1997 Kunnamkulam Hemophilia Society was formed he became its member. He attended the monthly meetings regularly and began to dream the day when he can walk In April 1998, when Dr.Mammen Chandy of Christian Medical College and Hospital. Vellore and Vice President, Hemophilia Federation (India) paid a visit to the Kunnamkulam society the case of Thahir was presented to him. Dr. Mammen Chandy was touched by Thahir's plight. He assured the boy that he will soon be able to walk. Thahir was taken to CMC Hospital Vellore where all possible help was given. Dr. Mammen Chandy and Dr.Alok Srivastava and Dr. Veron Lee and along with a team of physiotherapists headed by Dr. Suranjan Bhattacharjee treated him at CMC Hospital with loving care. When the boy returned to Perakam after treatment in Aug.1999, the people of the village could not believe their eyes as Thahir was on his feet! That was dream come true for Thahir!
Now the boy is determined to study further and earn a decent living. He wants to help his loving parents who even sold their property for his care. He also wants to be an active worker of Kunnamkulam Hemophilia Society. He is very keen to help create awareness about hemophilia and to encourage his fellow brothers with hemophilia. He hopes that the day will not be far when science will offer a permanent solution to his problem when he can "live without hemophilia"
Courtesy: Hemophilia Federation News Letter.(Dec,1999).