anonymous

22nd September 2018

A PATIENT IS A LIVING TEXT BOOK ! - 12

 A PATIENT IS A LIVING TEXT BOOK ! - 12

DR A.V. BAVDEKAR

Maya Ambardekar was a young girl of 15; she was brought to me by her father Bhau Ambardekar from Vengurla. Maya had an attack of polio when she was three years old and as a result, she had extensive paralysis of both her lower limbs, back and one upper limb. She could not stand or walk. Surgery would not have helped her and even physiotherapy and calipers would not have been of much use. She would have to live her life as a cripple. I was sympathetic, yet frank. I told Bhau that nothing much could be done in Maya's case. She should engage herself in some occupation, in a job where she doesn't have to move about, and seek to be as much active as circumstances allowed.

I am sure they must have been disappointed and sad, but they accepted my advice and appreciated my approach. Both Bhau and Maya used to write to me and I would reply promptly. Bhau was an astrologer and taught astrology to Maya. In between, Bhau had terminal cancer of colon and I arranged for his treatment in Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. Bhau passed away. Now Maya is nearing 30, looks after her mother and practices astrology. She remembers me on auspicious days like Gurupurnima and festivals like Dasara, Diwali, Makarasankranti and sends me greetings. I sometimes notice signs of depression in her letters, but she carries on. I cannot do much for her, but I give her lots of love, courage and hope. Life is worth living, inspite of its manifold problems.