Manish - you inspire me!
We went for a treck up a small mountain in order to widen our view abit. And Oh Boy what a view! The steep mountains makes the walk a little more difficult. And you have to seek your own path in order to reach your destination. Nothing called "already made footpaths" here, oh no no..! And the destination could be anything; that tree on top, the village on the other side or a rock that from far looks as if it is going to fall down any time.
We aimed for a small house with a few cows roaming around it. Half an houre later we reached our goal and spoke to the woman who lived in the house. She had spotted us on our way up I guees.
And we thought of continuing our walk further when we noticed a boy lying on the floor outside the house, naked but covered with only a blanket. The sun was steaming hot. So we stopped and asked how the boy was doing.
It was her son. His name is Manish and he is 15 years old. At the age of four he had started to develop stiffness of arms and legs and a stagnant speach development. At present he was not able to stretch his arms, he had no strength in back and legs and used a minimal verbal communication that only his mother could understand.
We got invited to sit down with them for a talk on a blanked infront of their house, and with the most stunning mountain view while sipping the most sweetest tea I've ever tasted. But I didn't care about the tea. I wanted to hear Their story. Their life story.
And we thought of continuing our walk further when we noticed a boy lying on the floor outside the house, naked but covered with only a blanket. The sun was steaming hot. So we stopped and asked how the boy was doing.
It was her son. His name is Manish and he is 15 years old. At the age of four he had started to develop stiffness of arms and legs and a stagnant speach development. At present he was not able to stretch his arms, he had no strength in back and legs and used a minimal verbal communication that only his mother could understand.
We got invited to sit down with them for a talk on a blanked infront of their house, and with the most stunning mountain view while sipping the most sweetest tea I've ever tasted. But I didn't care about the tea. I wanted to hear Their story. Their life story.
Their story was a tough one. But it was not unique.
It is well known how tough a mountain life is in general. And on top of that a family who have to take care of a disabled child.
We helped her to dress Manish and tried to commiunicate with him for some time, telling jokes and doing magic tricks.
We helped her to dress Manish and tried to commiunicate with him for some time, telling jokes and doing magic tricks.
Reality hits you when you least expect it; reminds you about its vulnerability, uncertainty and beauty - everything at once.
I guess we must have stayed at least an houre, talking about how to provide good health care, what grows in the forest around them and how they manage their living on such a mountain height.
Life.
Manish and your strong and beautiful mom - you inspire me!