Paraplegia

Paraplegia (total or partial crippling below the waist due to spinal injuries) is an affliction that torments the lives of hundreds of people in Kerala. Road accidents and accidental falls from trees or high-rise buildings are usually the causative reasons. Tragically, most victims are of the 15-45 age groups belonging to low-income families. Many of them are forced to be confined to bed all their life and depend on others for their livelihood and even routine personal requirements, leading to further frustration and depression.

While facilities for reconstructive surgery and physiotherapy are available in Kerala to a limited extent, they do not address the problem of total rehabilitation on a regular basis and at reasonable cost. Most victims, therefore, cannot hope to get back to self-supportive dependence and self reliant life.