12-year old Muskan and her dad, Mahavir, traveled over 300 kilometers from their village to New Delhi, seeking the best possible medical treatment available in India today. While they come from a town that has many of the amenities of a big city - plumbing, drinkable water and paved roads – the town simply lacked the sophisticated health care expertise needed to address Muskan's; corneal blindness needs. Nonetheless, they are proud when they speak of their home, and welcomed us to come and visit any time.
Four years ago, Muskan was walking home from school when a mosquito flew into her eye and bit the soft tissue of her cornea. Her parents became increasingly alarmed when the swelling in her eye failed to subside. The local doctors were incapable of assessing an accurate diagnosis, or of prescribing an effective treatment for the bite. Mahavir had no other option but to take Muskan to another hospital in a different city, before she was finally referred to AIIMS.
Muskan's first appointment at AIIMS was three years ago. In spite of the long journey, she and her dad faithfully made every appointment given them by her doctor. This most recent time, however, they chose to patiently remain in the ophthalmology ward of the hospital of AIIMS, praying for a cornea to be donated on her behalf. Their fortitude was rewarded twenty-two days later when she was matched with a viable cornea generously donated by an unknown grieving family.
Little Muskan, who loves to practice traditional Indian dancing, appeared exhausted from the trauma of the surgery. When asked if she had friends at school, Muskan squirmed with discomfort. She said nothing, causing one to wonder if she had suffered ridicule from her peers for an eye that abnormally drifts off to the left. Despite her diminishing eyesight, however, Muskan never failed to attend school. Her favorite subject is English. Even now while recovering in the ward, she can be found sitting up in her hospital bed laboring over her schoolwork.
Late into the night, she burns the midnight oil with her nose buried deep in a book. Her father beams at his daughter's determination to keep up with her studies no matter what how long she must stay in Delhi. When Muskan's bandages were removed from her eye, she could not see anything, but little by little her vision has continued to improve. A big, but shy, smile comes over her face when she remembers being able to recognize the face of her father for the first time in four years.
Please support people like Muskan
SightLife is working hard to help people like Muskan and we invite support from people who want to join us to eliminate corneal blindness in India by 2020. All money raised towards our work in India is doubled by a private foundation in America. To make a gift for people like Manoj, or to find our more about our work, please contact James Newell, UK Development Lead:
[email protected] 0207 566 3635
SightLife UK, c/o Kingston Smith LLP, Devonshire House, 60 Goswell Road, London, EC1M 7AD
Bank transfers can be made to:
We may contact you prior to your donation to enquire about gift aid eligibility.
