Surgery and Rehabilitation

At the age of 7, Nandita left to the U.S for surgery, the family subjected to and overcoming several setbacks. Miraculous help to overcome each obstacle came in the form of so many people who stood solidly by the family fighting for a common purpose, to get this child to triumph over adversity. She underwent spine surgery in April 2002, wherein a titanium rod was inserted into her spine to hold it in place and a number of vertebrae were fused together to prevent that part of the spine from growing. 

After many painful months of rehabilitation, she returned to India wearing a protective brace from neck to knee, which looked like an armour around her body. She had to wear this continuously for the next 2 years, except for when she slept. This restricted her movements tremendously and was extremely uncomfortable, but Nandita went through it all without one word of protest. From the time immediately after her surgery, when walking was too painful to even try, this spirited little girl would clutch her mother’s fingers and take tiny step by step her face contorted with pain, yet a fire in her eyes. To wear the body brace during summer in India was nothing short of torture for the poor child would have blisters all over her body, yet would accept with tears in her eyes to continue to wear the brace. To go to school day after day in physical discomfort, not to mention emotional agony in not being able to do anything except watch friends take for granted what Nandita would yearn for - freedom of movement, was not an easy task but Nandita was not an ordinary child. Again the fire in her eyes and the core of steel that she must possess, kept her going. To not be able to run and play, to not be able to even sit comfortably, to have such restricted movement of her body is not easy for anyone to endure, let alone a child of 7, yet Nandita went through it all without a word of protest, accepting what life threw at her and still managing to come out unscathed. The determination and will power that this young child displayed is what sets her apart and this positivity and strength is what achievers are made of. The calmness and maturity with which Nandita has handled life’s many challenges, belies her age and showcases her as a true role model. Never once complaining, this little girl faced her demons bravely, putting up a fight that one can only be proud of. An ever ready smile and a cheerful attitude was how one saw Nandita in those traumatic years. To face pain physically and be bewildered at numerous life style changes at the tender age of 7, is not easy and this young child walked the road to recovery with an inner strength that she could possibly attain only with divine intervention.