UMESH SAHI

PEMA DHUKTEL TAMANG

Pema came to DNC when he was 5 . He spoke no Nepali as he comes from one of the remotest parts of Nepal and an ethnic group which has its own language. Integration has been more difficult for Pema but he is gradually settling in. It was with great difficulty that his father made the long and (for him) expensive journey to bring him to Kathmandu.  Pema was born with a right club foot. He has had a preliminary operation to improve his mobility. Pema has been given a specially designed shoe by the hospital which he has to wear until the next operation.

NAINA DHAKAL

KUMAR SHRESTHA

Kumar's mother is separated from his father and she struggled to look after 6 children on a very low paid job.  She could not support a disabled child and he was suffering from malnutrition when he arrived. Kumar has had surgery to straighten his feet as a result of polio.  He now has normal mobility but is physically very small for his age.  Kumar is dyslexic so school is difficult for him. He is very active and always joking.

SANJAY TAMANG

From Dhading, Sanjay came to DNC having suffered extensive burn injuries to his lower legs necessitating amputation of both feet. His hands were also burnt and he lost the tips of several fingers. Sanjay had sever ulcerations to his shins which required plastic surgery. After his wounds had healed he was given specially designed boots which enabled him to walk for the first time in his life. Sanjay now attends school like a normal child.

At the age of 3 or 4, Shreejana suffered severe burns to her right leg. She did not attend school in her village. When she came to New Life she had surgery necessitating the amputation of all the toes on her right foot. Shreejana can now walk with relative ease and is doing well at school.  She loves dancing.

HEMANTA KUMAR SINGH

Hemanta is from Sharlahi in the west of Nepal. He had a twisted foot which was corrected with surgery. His mobility is good although he is still slightly lame. Hemanta also has nerve palsy affecting his right arm and may need an operation to reposition the arm. He is very friendly and says he wants to be a teacher for disabled children.

CHIRINJIVI KHANAL

From Balkot, Chirinjivi came to DNC with his father in search of help. He  had evidence of surgery when he arrived but there was  no documentation. He still has some mobility problems and is due to be assessed again soon.
Chirinjivi is fond of games, especially cricket. He misses his sister.

MAHADEV REGMI    

Mahadev had bilateral club feet. His family had no access to medical treatment for him. He attended school near his village in class 1. Since coming to New Life at the age of 7 Mahadev has had corrective surgery to straighten his legs and feet. His mobility is now good.

MANSHARA BUDHA

Manshara's parents are illiterate and she had no schooling. She had polio affecting her spine and left leg and could only walk with difficulty. Since coming to New Life Manshara  has had corrective surgery to lengthen one of her legs. She is having ongoing treatment and may require further surgery. Manshara is still very lame and walks with the aid of a crutch. She loves photography.

BIKASH DAHAL

Bikash has cerebral palsy.  He walks with extreme difficult using a stick. He attends a special school for children with cerebral palsy and he receives regular physiotherapy. Bikash is an extremely bright child who overcomes his limitations with great determination.
Bikash is very attentive, loves to laugh and listen to music.

Sunita is from a very poor and disadvantaged family in the Eastern part of Nepal. At the age of 2½ years she received very severe burns to her chest, stomach, right axilla and the right side of her torso. Her face, chin and both thighs were also affected. She received only very basic medical attention at that time. Her right arm was also fused to her chest.
When Sunita was came to New Life she had plastic surgery to her chest and to release contractures under her right arm.  She is doing well at school.

SUJAN GAUTAM     

At the age of 1, Sujan suffered severe burns to his right arm leaving his right hand very damaged and deformed. As a result he has no fingers to his right hand. He did not receive any ongoing hospital care. He was however attending school in class 2. Since coming to New Life, Sujan has continued his schooling. No corrective treatment has been possible for Sujan's arm but he has medical check ups from time to time.

SUNIL PURI

Sunil had not received any medical attention or schooling when he arrived at DNC. He has severe inversion of both feet and was only able to walk on the outside margins of his feet.  He has had 3 surgical procedures and can now walk well.  Sunil is a charming boy who loves games and photography.

RESHAM BUDHATHOKI

INDRA SAUD

Indra came to DNC with an untreated fracture of his right arm as a result of a fall in childhood. He has weakness in his arm and hand.  Indra has had treatment to straighten his arm but still uses his left hand for most activities including writing. He is a lovely boy who is always helping the staff,  is technically very competent and loves to fix things!

BHISMA LAMICHHANE      

Bhisma comes from the south of Nepal. His lower left leg is deformed and withered as a result of burn injuries. He was attending school in class 2 and since coming to New Life has continued his education. Bhisma has had an operation to help flatten his foot.  He has been fitted with a special boot and is now learning to walk with greater ease and normality.

HARI MAJHI

Hari has a congenital hip dislocation and also had polio resulting in muscle wastage in the lower limbs. His mother, younger sister and older brother are also disabled. Hari has not had any special medical treatment and is kept under review by doctors at the hospital in Kathmandu. He walks with difficulty and needs regular physiotherapy.

PUSTE GHARTI MAGAR

Puste comes from a very poor family. His father died when he was a young child. Puste was born without his right hip and leg, and without 2 fingers of his right hand. His left leg is shortened as he has no thigh bone. When Puste came to DNC, he was unable to walk and was not attending school as his parents were ashamed of him. With the use of a crutch Puste is now very mobile and enjoys sports.  Puste is now doing well in school and shows particular talent for drawing and painting.

MANAB SINGAR

AMAR BUDDHA

Amar comes from Bajura in the far west of Nepal where his family work on the land.
He had bilateral club feet and his family could not afford any treatment for him. When he came to DNC he had surgery and now walks well.  Amar is a very happy and enthusiastic boy - always the joker and making everyone laugh!

BISHNU GHIMIRE

Bishnu has hereditary motor-sensory neuropathy.  This is a progressive neurological disease affecting muscles and sensation.  He is having physiotherapy and regular medical check ups to try to delay deterioration as far as possible.  Bishnu has been fitted with calipers but can only walk with assistance and has difficulty holding things with his hands.  He uses a wheelchair to get to and from school.  Despite deteriorating strength, Bishnu rarely complains and has a beautiful temperament.  He is a bright student.

ANJU SHRESTHA

As a result of polio, both Anju's legs were severely affected and when she came to the centre she was only able to walk with extreme difficulty. Anju has had surgery to release the muscle contractions in her legs.  It is hoped she will eventually be able to walk and stand more easily. She has regular physiotherapy and is very bright and friendly.

Children who have left DNC

SURYAMAYA SHRESTHA

Suryamaya comes from a remote area in the east of Nepal near the Chinese border.
She has one leg shorter than the other and walks with a limp  probably due to polio in childhood.  She has had some physiotherapy to strengthen the leg. 

She passed all of her final school exams with excellent marks.  She has chosen to live with relatives in a central region of Nepal where she will be supported to continue her studies in commerce.

Sunita is from a farming family in a remote area of Nepal. At the age of 9 months she received very severe burns to both of her legs and had no access to medical care. When Sunita came to New Life at the age of 10 she received surgery necessitating a below knee amputation to her left leg and her right leg is severely deformed from burn injuries. She now uses an artificial leg and is able to walk well without the aid of crutches.

She now lives with her brother in the south western city of Nepalgung.  She is continuing her studies and has been offered a job with a company.

Kamala's family lives in difficult circumstances in a rural area of Nepal. Kamala had burns which severely affected her right foot. Her mother and father have no land of their own to grow food. They could not afford any schooling for Kamala and had no access to medical services. She is very lame but can walk without the aid of sticks or calipers and is much more active nowadays.

Kamala is back with her family and is being supported to continue her schooling.

RAJU LAMA 

Raju was attending school before coming to New Life. His mother is alone and works in a factory in Kathmandu.  Both Raju's legs were deformed at birth and he may have had polio around the age of 5. When he first came to New Life he had enormous difficulty walking. Raju no longer needs leg calipers and now uses a stick which, although still difficult, has made walking easier.

He is now living with his mother.  He will have another operation to straighten his legs and then hopes to become a Thanka artist.

BINDU PARIYAR  

Bindu  was born with a deformed, shortened right arm without a hand but with primitive fingers. She had not received any education until she came to DNC at the age of 8. No corrective treatment has been possible.  Bindu is very active and loves dancing.

Bindu is back with her family and is being supported to continue her schooling.