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When I first launched ExpatWoman.com, then ExpatMum.com, I started with a profile of Living in Dubai, a jokes page and a charities page, and over the last eight years we and our readers have supported and helped to promote some great causes, and come across many selfless individuals who give their time, energy and passion for the benefit of others. We featured Nafisa and the Valley of Love in YOU! DATE OF ISSUE
Last week Nafisa got in touch to ask for help for a family living in Sharjah. This is Betsy's story...

It was about 2 years ago that our attention at Valley of Love was drawn to a family residing in Sharjah.This family is blessed with 3 young girls. At that time their eldest daughter Nissi was 13 years old and a victim of cerebral palsy, the second girl Betsy about 10 years who is also struck with the same but was confined not only to her home but also her bed until aided .The last girl Eunice then, was just 9 months old but made no effort to even sit up.

It tugged at our hearts to see that at their tender ages when they should have been running and participating in all activities like other girls their age, and attending regular school they were infact confined to their little home and only had each other to interact with, besides a caring mum who much amongst it all always managed to hide her pain behind her smile. All this because they have been suffering from cerebral palsy and the father did not have the means to permit him the luxury of sending his children to a special needs school.

The best thing we thought would be to get them to integrate with other children in special needs school where basic loving care and guidance would be provided and at least they would, in the long run manage their day to day chores independently.

Thus started our hunt for a school. The eldest one was placed in SNF centre in Karama. She is a sponsored child. Betsy due to her severe condition (wears pampers to date & has to be carried as her muscles do not even support her to sit up) needed a school that could provide extra care and was eventually placed in Al Noor. Her fees to date are paid by another sponsor.

The worry for the youngest child soon grew & we started taking her to a pediatrician for quarterly check up. Eunice, the baby now 2 years old who is a lovely bouncy baby but does need regular check ups and proper nourishment.

Betsy has problems with her eye sight too.This was brought to my attention on one of the school visits. Now every 6 months we have to take her to an ophthalmologist who says the muscles of the eye are very weak, hence she has been prescribed glasses.

This is not the end – when I went for the open house in June 2010 at SNF I was clearly told that some intervention would be required for Nissi (the eldest) as her legs do not support her growing body. They are very bent and she needs corrective surgery at the earliest. Just about two weeks ago we consulted a leading ortho surgeon and am quoting from his report:

"In my opinion a proximal release of Gastrocnemius both sides to achieve a straight knee is advised. She may need Hamstring Z-plasty also. Following this procedure, she would need bilateral Above-knee orthosis and crutches for ambulation. Straightening the knee would also help the child in gaining height"

What can I say about Mum, who has aged way before her time. Her day starts as early 4.30am when she gets the girls ready for school. Their buses come at 5.30 -5.40am. She cannot afford to keep any domestic help and tries to cope with her extra long day.

Hence besides proper nutrition, regular medical care and physiotherapy to help them all maintain their basic functioning is a constant requirement, for which the funds are always required.


I have been working with this family closely for the last 2 years. The girls have benefitted tremendously from their respective schools and the progress in amazing.

We sincerely appreciate any contribution/ support in whatever way possible to help bring about a change and bring some hope in the lives of Betsy and Nissi and the Thankachan family.

Regards,

Nafisa Biviji

We were very moved by the story of this family, the situation of the daughters but also the parents; next time I'm feeling snowed under juggling a full-time job and three children, I will bring Betsy's mum to mind... We all have our issues but she really does have more than her fair share.

ExpatWoman has covered the cost of bus fees for Betsy but you can see from this example, the kind of work Nafisa is doing. It is one to one support; seeing a need and working contacts to find the cash or the time or the 'stuff' to meet it. It isn't just about raising money. It could be offering time to give practical help, or driving someone/something somewhere. For anyone interested to know more about Valley Of Love, please contact Email:Biviji@gmail.com
 
 
 
 
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