Srinagar: Emotionally overwhelmed by the heart-rending video of a Jammu and Kashmir boy Parvaiz, who walks to school on one leg despite dilapidated road conditions of his village, Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari has decided to help the boy with an artificial limb free of cost.
Jaipur Foot is an NGO that ensures the physical, economic, and social rehabilitation of the specially-abled, to enable them to regain their mobility and dignity and become self-respecting and productive members of society.
Bhandari decided to help the boy after seeing a video of the boy. The chairman said, “As soon as I saw the video, I decided to contact the family. I will provide an artificial limb to Parvaiz free of cost.” The organization provides prosthetics or artificial limbs, callipers and other physical aids and appliances, free of charge, to as many disabled people as possible through its centres, outreach programmes and rehabilitation camps, both in India and abroad.
Aiming to pursue his academics and co-curricular activities with determination, Parvaiz walks to school on one leg to pursue his dreams in Handwara, Jammu and Kashmir, daily. Despite having lost his left leg at a very tender age to a massive blaze, Parvaiz is presently studying in Class 9 at Government High School in Nowgam.
“I cover a distance of about two kilometres daily while balancing on one leg. Roads are not good. If I get an artificial limb, I can walk. I have a dream to achieve something in my life," he said. Parvaiz said that although the Social Welfare Department had provided him a wheelchair but due to the dilapidated road conditions of his village, it was never put to use.
“I walk two kilometres per day to reach my school. The road to reach my school is damaged. I sweat a lot after reaching school as it is difficult for me to walk. I offer prayers after reaching school. I love cricket, volleyball and kabaddi. I hope that the government helps me in shaping my future. I have a fire within me to achieve my dreams,” he said.
Sharing his experiences further, the 14-year-old said, “I do get hurt seeing that my friends can walk properly. However, I thank Allah (God) for providing me with strength. I urge the government to give me a proper artificial limb or any other mode of transportation that will ease my journey to the school and other places. Amputation was carried out by doctors at a hospital for which my father had to pay a huge sum of money. My father had to sell his property for my treatment.”
Ghulam Ahmad Hajam, the father of Parvaiz, said, “My child lost his leg at a very tender age to a massive blaze. My wife is a heart patient. I was in Baramulla when the incident happened with my child. I am a poor man. I cannot afford Rs 3 lakh for his treatment. I could only afford Rs 50,000 and had to sell my property.”
The father added, “I appeal to the government to help Parvaiz. He is good at studying and loves to play cricket. He is not involved in any wrongdoing.” Parvaiz, presently studying in Class 9 at Government High School Nowgam, aims to become a doctor. According to Ghulam Hussain Mir, headmaster of the school, Pervez Ahmed regularly participates in sports activities and also plays volleyball and cricket. "He is a bright student, and we appeal the administration to help him," he said.
Also read: J&K: Class 9 student hopping to school on one leg to pursue his studies, seeks govt' help
