People of Value

Sudhansu Sekhar Dash

In these days when Class X scores of over 90 per cent are common all round, a mere second division should not merit much attention.

But not when you consider the case of Sudhansu Sekhar Dash. Sudhansu wrote his High School Certificate examination with only tow polio-affected fingers on his right hand. Both his arms have polio.

The Raghadapur villager in Kendrapara district got a second division and is preparing to enter Marsaghai College here for further studies. He wants to be a doctor.

His parents, Pravat Chandra Dash and Bidulate, had always feared for Sudhansu’s future. They are somewhat relieved to see him cross the first major academic hurdle.

Pravat Chandra is a priest at the Dadhibamanjew temple. He recalled that they had initially faced many problems in placing Sudhansu in a school. But after starting his classes, he was able to write like others within five years. Many school teachers and friends also encouraged Sudhansu to hone his writing skills.”

It was lack of awareness that made his parents neglect polio does in his childhood. His mother Bidulate recollected that they spent whatever they could “by selling two acres of agricultural land for Sudhansu’s medical treatment”.

But he could not be cured. Both his arms were affected. But with determination, he passed the high school examination”. Sudhansu said, “Initially I started writing Oriya and English alphabets. Gradually, I could hold a pen a pen and pencil and practice helped me to write like other students.”

Source: Polio or not, he writes his future. The Hindustan Times, Daily, New Delhi, 13 July 2007.

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Rajiv Virat, Shruti Kaushik, Parul Arora

“I was 18 at the culmination of my school life, when (multiple sclerosis) struck. I spent 10 days in AIIMS, methyl prednisolone being pumped into me. The MRI showed demyelinating lesions, but no mention of MS was made. I was treated for below incontinence. After some time I got a stabbing pain in my lower back, lost my ladder control and lost strength. I could not move. I was again rushed to the hospital. This time, the MRI confirmed MS”, says Rajiv Virat, 25.

Rajiv, despite this, was not disheartened and is today a successful man. At present, he runs a self owned medical transcription firm from his house. He plays wheelchair tennis at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association courts.

He has won three marathons in the special category. He has driven to Leh on his own. He was nominated for the prestigious Wolfensohn award for International Person 2005, and was felicitated with the certificate with the certificate. And the reason behind his success is the support he got from the Multiple Sclerosis of India (MSSI).

Shruti Kaushik, 37, was a teacher in a public school. She had to leave her job after she as detected with MS. But she is still in touch with her school and works on projects. Besides, she also looks after her two young children and is a committee member of the MSSI. She wants to create awareness about MS. She also creates funds for MS patients.

Parul Arora, 25, got to know about her disease seven years ago. She was devastated. Coming from a middleclass family, one of the major worries of her family was to get her married. Parul, on the other hands was worried about supporting her retired father. With help and encouragement from MSSI, she pursued making cards and candles.

MSSI’s support has made her independent. She earns money from the cards and candles she makes. They buy her cards and candles and encourage others to do so too. This has doubled her confidence.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the Centre Nervous System, that affects its functioning unexpectedly and repeatedly, resulting in devastating disabilities in young people. This is not fatal. MS has symptoms ranging from minor visual disturbance to total paralysis.

Its cause

Our bodies contain a fatty substance called myelin which surrounds and protects never fibres of the brain and spinal cord (the Central Nervous System) in the same way that insulation protects electrical wires. When any part of this myelin sheathing or insulation is destroyed, never impulses to the brain are interrupted and distorted.

The result is multi sclerosis multiple because many scattered areas of the brain and spinal cord are affected, sclerosis because sclerosed or hardened patches of scar tissue from over the damaged myelin. No one knows how and why it happens.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend upon where the scleroses patches are formed in the central nervous system. They may include tingling sensations, numbness, slurred speech, blurred or double vision, muscle weakness, poor coordination, unusual fatigue, muscle cramps, spasms, problems with bladder, bowel and sexual function and paralysis.

Source: Even disability didn’t dampen their spirits. Metro Now, New Delhi, 11 July 2007.

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