Outside the rehabilitation centre in Kathmandu Sandip smiles and shares his ambitions and passion on education while talking to Pralhad Gairapipli, Regional Communication Officer for Handicap International, also known as Humanity & Inclusion. Gairapipli recently visited Sandip and his mother, after talking with them; he was inspired to write this story. Pictures © Pralhad Gairapipli/ HI

Sandip was 14 and studying in sixth grade when he was in a road traffic accident. This happened while travelling by truck in Chitwan, a south-central district about 100km from Kathmandu, Nepal. Sandip was badly injured and he lost his left leg on the spot. Sandip’s mother, Sukumaya told me, “Doctors had to amputate his leg up to above the knee to prevent further infection.” Sandip had to drop out of school due to this incident, and he had limited mobility.

The number of road accidents that result in deaths, injuries, physical disabilities and psychological distress are increasing worldwide. These statistics create a significant economic burden on those injured, their families and society at large, especially in low and middle income countries. In Nepal, road traffic accidents are the second most common cause of injury, after falls and they are followed by burns. 

“I was not aware that on that day my son was travelling with a truck driver. I thought he had gone to school,” Sukumaya added. 

A mother’s support

“He initially insisted we take him out from private school and move him to a community school instead. This is because private schools have stricter rules than community ones. He started missing school because he didn’t want to go. We only learned later that his real passion was to learn to drive a truck and earn money,” Sukumaya continued.  

“Lockdown hit us hard, like for many others in our community, and over the world. We have taken land on lease from others to survive; we work hard but could not save more to invest on good education for our children. I never went to school, neither did my husband, but we wanted our children to fulfil their dreams by gaining an education and contributing to our country” 

Mr. Yam Prasad Adhikari, the elected ward chairperson in Kalika Municipality, shared information with Sandip’s family about an upcoming health screening camp in their community, providing different services for children with disabilities. These services were implemented by Humanity & Inclusion and its local partners such as Autism Care Chitwan Society, thanks to UK aid funding from the UK government to the Inclusive Futures Programme.

Access to services 

Sandip, learning how to walk using an artificial limb in the rehabilitation centre. The training lasts for 15 days and provides new artificial devices as well as the confidence to use their new technology for mobility. As part of rehabilitation, physical therapists recommend gait training as a way to strengthen walking technique.

Sandip was identified when the project collected data through the Washington Group of Questions on out-of-school children. Based on the initial assessment, Sandip was invited to attend the screening camp, which included a physiotherapist who referred Sandip to the National Disabled Fund (NDF). Humanity & Inclusion has five local partners that provide rehabilitation services across the country, including NDF.  

“Sandip is learning quickly and his dedication is strong. After four days on his new prosthetic limb, he was walking easily in the parallel bar on his own,” said Sajan Manandhar, a physiotherapist at NDF. According to Sajan, there is a 15 days of gait training for new users of such devices, which includes different steps such as balancing, standing, weight shifting, sitting and raising from a chair, or ascending and descending stairs. 

“Initially when we met Sandip, he was not convinced he wanted to receive the rehabilitation care, he did not trust anyone. He even didn’t believe that an artificial limb and exercises would help him to walk,” said Ramesh Baral, an Inclusion Officer working with Humanity & Inclusion. “During counselling we shared with him some videos of persons with disabilities, who have achieved milestones in their lives through rehabilitation care: to be able to walk, to go to school, work and dream big!” says Ramesh. The counselling helped Sandip to understand and visualize the power of rehabilitation, have more hope and discover how to realise his potential. 

Shifting attitudes and transforming lives 

Sandip’s parents now see a positive and productive future for him. Sukumaya saw her son’s attitude change following the accident.

“I want to read, and be supported to improve my mobility. I must study hard so I can get a job and become independent. I have to turn my dreams into reality,” Sandip told us.

“I used to see all my friends in my community playing football and other games. Having lost my leg, I was ashamed to go out or go to school, I did not see myself going anywhere as I could not walk. As a result, I started staying home, playing games on my phone, and cutting myself off from the outside world,” Sandip recalls.  

Over the past few months, Sandip feels he has a renewed sense of motivation to do better. Since receiving the rehabilitation and counselling support from Humanity & Inclusion and its partners, Sandip has been much more hopeful. He told us “Training to walk with my new limb is hard work and sometimes painful,  but I am confident that after it all, it will be ok.” 

What next for Sandip? 

“Education is my new ambition! I want to study hard and qualify for jobs. I want to open a mobile repair shop or start working after I complete my education”

“When I went to the health camp and got a chance to learn how rehabilitation services can change the lives of people, that helped me to embrace my impairment and become a believer,” he said.

His relatives have noticed the changes in Sandip; they encourage him to continue his studies and assure him that they will support him in his business. Sandip and his family are very happy with the progress they are making.

With his mother Sukumaya, Sandip attends a rehabilitation center to receive gait training. They appear happy and determined to complete the course and return back home with all their motivation.

Sandip’s story is just one of many supported by as project which is part of the Inclusive Futures Programme; an ambitious six year disability-inclusive initiative, funded by UK aid. Its vision is to create a world where everyone has the same opportunities to go to school, access quality health care, and claim their right to work through informal and formal employment. Learn more about Inclusive Futures Projects in Nepal HERE.