"I had problems, but probably thought the only way is to forget them and fight for yourself in life."
Dr. Himanshu Tiwari of Lucknow
I was born in a very simple and conservative family. My father was quite a strict person and we never had courage to share anything with him. My mother too had medical problem so I was quite isolated during my childhood. When I recollect I remember having developed symptoms, which could have indicated that I suffer from hemophilia. We were not lucky. During that period there was no diagnostic facility nor was there much awareness about hemophilia. I could have received right treatment and knowledge to manage myself better. My joints which have a problem today could have been normal.
Probably my first bleeds or bleed, which I can recollect, was when I was 10 years old. My teacher had slapped me on my face and I had bled profusely from my nose. When I was in Class VIII I met with a road accident and was hospitalized for 17 days because of excessive bleeding but still I was not diagnosed as suffering from hemophilia.
I had problems, but probably thought the only way is to forget them and fight for yourself in life. I had an ambition to join Indian Forest Service. To fulfill my ambition, I started working hard, did regular physical exercises (IFS meant that you should be physically fit). But luck did not favour me again. One day I was playing cricket. Cricket ball hit my left knee and I developed swelling along with acute pain. I was admitted in a hospital where the doctors without proper diagnosis were trying to treat my swelling as a result my left leg was plastered for six weeks. After removal plaster the swelling reappeared. In this way my left leg was plastered several times but without any relief. My relatives and family members literally got fed up with my condition and left me without any support. In the meantime I also lost an opportunity of being in IFS. But somehow, with my internal strength I could manage to clear my graduation. I wanted to do something in life. So after graduation I prepared for CPMT examination and finally got admission in BAMS (Bachelor degree in Ayurvedic Medical Sciences).
I came to know about hemophilia quite late in my life. By that time I had developed problems in my joints. I completed my BAMS in 1996 and started practicing in 1997. Later on I came in touch with hemophilia society of Lucknow and today I enjoy working as volunteer with them. I wish to tell my friends who suffer with hemophilia that today awareness about hemophilia is quite good. Information, treatment and diagnostic facilities are available. You must avail of them so that you do not suffer like I have suffered because lack of knowledge. Use your knowledge; think positively I am sure you will be able to overcome hemophilia. I can tell this with my personal conviction having had no family, financial and mental support. I was diagnosed quite late but still today I am on my own feet.
Courtesy: Hemophilia Federation News Letter (Dec,2000)