Success Stories

Neena Thakur , 28 years was diagnosed with Astrocytomia in December 2017, which had infected her spine in the upper and lower thoracic region (T2-T7) leaving her paralyzed below upper chest. She also had developed multiple sores because of repeated hospitalizations and improper skin care. When Neena came to Chandigarh spinal Rehab she was completely immobile and mentally traumatized. After detection of her tumor she was abandoned by her husband and his family and left with her one year old baby and a frail and sick body to take care of. With the patient and skilled rehabilitation program her body started responding. The spirit of care and camaraderie in the Centre healed her bruised emotions and made her mentally stronger too. For one who thought she would never smile again she blossomed gradually and slowly but surely progressed towards a state of functional independence. After her bedsores healed, she achieved sitting balance, started propelling her wheel chair for short distances and managed her personal hygiene and care independently.

Neena said” I can now sit and hold my baby girl in my arms. I can look after her and take her with me where I want. Chandigarh Spinal Rehab has given me back my motherhood.”

Sharmila is a 9 year old girl who goes to school like every other girl. Her situation was not the same 2 year ago. She was taken to a hospital when she complained that she was unable to move or bend her neck. Doctors diagnosed her with a giant cell tumor in her neck. She went through 2 surgeries to remove the tumor but second surgery left her paralyzed neck down. Her spinal cord was affected at C4 level. She was unable to move all four limbs and became completely dependent on her mother. She went to a rehabilitation center in Chennai but she discontinued her rehabilitation after seeing no changes during her rehab for one and half months. Her family got to know about Chandigarh Spinal Rehab through Vaidyanathan Singaraman who is a crusader for welfare and rights of persons with spinal cord injury. Sharmila came to Chandigarh Spinal Rehab in February 2018 for rehabilitation and soon she started walking, eating, painting and doing all things she wanted to do by herself within 18 days of her joining rehabilitation. High quality rehabilitation and nurturing environment of Chandigarh Spinal Rehab returned her life back to Sharmila. She returned back to her home completely independent and is now back to school again.

Daughter of a farmer, Param was married off at an early age. Her husband hailed from Mumbai. With dreams in her eyes and the excitement to be in the “City of Dreams”, Param’s happiness knew no limits.

Soon some harsh realities of her husband left her shattered, which led to her separation.

With the wounds of her divorce and two young boys to take care of, she shifted to Pune and earned her livelihood from stitching clothes.

With tears in her eyes Param unfolds the events of the fateful day of 1998 . She was on her way to Mumbai to get some stitching material, when the Maruti van she was travelling in, met with an accident, breaking her Spinal Cord. Param opened her eyes to a life, in which all her movements below her neck had ceased.

Then a never ending search for treatment began. Not finding any solution after consulting various doctors, Param accepted her destiny and stayed at home, lying on the bed, like a log. Due to neglect the body had developed contractures and life had become an endless routine of changing wet and soiled sheets, as she had no bowel/bladder control and had not learnt to handle the same.

Luck smiled at her almost after eighteen years, when she met the founder of Chandigarh Spinal Rehab Mrs. Nicky P Kaur, and was brought to the Centre. Param’s treatment and rehab has brought back hope in her eyes. Param smiles and says “I had not seen anything except the ceiling of my house for so many years. Now, with therapy, I can sit on the wheelchair and enjoy nature’s treats. I have also travelled by car and been a part of rallies. I sit straight and propel my motorized wheelchair. I now feel I am a part of this world again and move about freely and travel to places wherever I wish to go without fear or hesitation.

Param aims to live a life of substance and give back to the society in whichever way she can.

Tridip Chaudhary from Assam had a nasty fall in 2016, which left him paralyzed waist down. He became a paraplegic. This affected him emotionally and mentally as well. As a musician who loved to play his guitar and create music he felt life had come to a dead end. Fortunately, he came to know about Rehabilitation after two years and then a Google search helped him to decide on Chandigarh Spinal Rehab. Here began a new journey for him. Soon he was walking with the help of crutches. He picked up his guitar once again, strumming joyously and creating new music. He learned to drive an Activa bike and rode away in a truly empowered spirit. He even enjoyed his first Helicopter ride with the Chandigarh Spinal Rehab Team.

After a Rehabilitation program for three months he decided that there was no looking back. He convinced his family that he would live independently. He then shifted into a Paying Guest Accommodation and has started giving guitar lessons to youngsters making a humble beginning. Simultaneously he is learning car driving in Chandigarh Spinal Rehab and is also forming and guiding the Chandigarh Spinal Rehab Band. Tridip happily says “Chandigarh Spinal Rehab is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Thank you God.”

In the last semester of her Biotechnology program, when she was getting set to go for her Ph.d , life took a nasty turn. While walking on the roof of her house she slipped and fell, resulting in Spinal cord injury. She was paralyzed waiste down. After a surgery she was sent back home but life became depressing and hopeless. For 2 years she lived a wasted life of total dependence on her mother in all tasks like personal care as well as propelling her wheelchair and contemplated suicide very often. With a stroke of luck she chanced upon posts on social media about successful lives of persons with Spinal cord injury post rehabilitation. Rekindled hope and a desire to live a more meaningful life brought her to Chandigarh Spinal Rehab. After 102 days of rigorous, regular and high quality rehabilitation she became completely independent. She could even walk with the help of crutches on ramps and uneven surfaces . With newly gained confidence she has now moved into a paying guest accommodation in Chandigarh and is pursuing her career once again. She is preparing for competitive jobs in the government and in banking sector.

An accidental bullet injury in 2017 left Sandeep Singh paralyzed below T-11. He was completely bed ridden for almost 2 years when he heard of Rehabilitation and then came to Chandigarh Spinal Rehab with the dim hope of a ‘somewhat better life’. However after completing 3 months of rehabilitation he speaks a different language- the language of strength and confidence. He became functionally completely independent handling his personal hygiene, bathing etc. on his own whereas earlier he was totally dependent on his father for everything. He started going to the local markets and the Mall as well as to the movie theater with his comrades in the Rehab Centre. Life became fun and meaningful once again. What is more he says ” The dreams which I was afraid to dream have now become my reality. Due to rehabilitation, support and opportunities provided by Chandigarh Spinal Rehab, I have participated in several activities like Swimming, Yoga, Aqua Yoga and Basketball and even participated in World Run Marathon. I even went to watch an IPL cricket match in Mohali. The icing on the cake was when Chandigarh Spinal Rehab took me for a helicopter ride!! For a person like me who has never flown in an aeroplane due to my modest background, I could experience a chopper ride despite being on a wheelchair.I have now got a job in a travel agency in Mohali courtesy Chandigarh Spinal Rehab and am moving into a Paying Guest acommodation. My new life has begun and I embark on this journey with determination, gratitude and joy in my heart.”

He had developed contractures and bed sores due to lack of rehabilitation. was on the verge of getting abandoned by his family when he reached Chandigarh Spinal Rehab. He came to the centre on stretcher but he managed to overcome the challenges he has been facing from past 10 years by getting quality rehabilitation and best bedsore management. Amit has gone back with a smile on his face and he has even joined back his job at Ballabh metal private limited, Moradabad.