Standing Tall

Standing Tall

Nipana was born to farmer parents in a remote hilly village in central Nepal. She has two siblings and the family survives on subsistence farming. When she was seven, she suffered from tuberculosis of the spine which severely affected her ability to move around. When identified early, TB can be managed only with medications, but in rural communities there is a paucity of such awareness. As a result, delayed presentations with gross deformity and neurological problems affecting the legs, as in Nipana’s case, are very common. Fortunately for Nipana and her family, HRDC found her through our mobile clinic. Our expert team of spine surgeons reconstructed her deformed back, and anti-tubercular medications helped eradicate the disease. To protect her fragile back, she wears a custom-made brace manufactured in HRDC’s own workshop. Comprehensive and holistic recovery under one roof has been HRDC’s mantra for disadvantaged children like Nipana. Now she can resume her childhood normally and look forward to a life of hope and dignity!