Date:31/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/31/stories/2007083161030300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Doughty mother on a mission

Staff Reporter

Intent on helping those affected by muscular dystrophy

Caring touch: K. Sujatha, interacting with Janaki and Santosh Reddy at Pillalamarri in Nalgonda district

PILLALAMARRI (NALGONDA): Undeterred by the unbearable past Kolavennu Sujatha continues her crusade against muscular dystrophy (MD) that took away her 26-year-old brainy son Venkatesh from her on December 17, 2004. Putting behind the mental, physical and financial ordeals, she is now on a mission and that is to spread the message that ‘love and care can win this disease.’

Having failed to get legal nod for euthanasia as wished by her son, she is now intent on helping the MD patients as well as creating awareness about it among people. As part of the exercise, Ms Sujatha, founder of the Venkatesh Muscular Dystrophy Foundation (VMDF) was here in this tiny village in Suryapet mandal to call on two siblings—Gavva Janaki Reddy (16) and Santosh Reddy (14), who have been bedridden due to MD since seven years.

Responding to a special story published in these columns, titled: Muscular Dystrophy Cripples Family in Suryapet Mandal, last Thursday, Sujatha came here to call on the family recently. She consoled their parents Pichhi Reddy (48) and Padma (35) and their polio-affected sister Saritha (20).

“Don’t lose hope. Cheer up the children and given them confidence.

They can even learn computer education. Give them maximum happiness,” Ms. Sujatha told the couple.

She encouraged the children to go out to breathe the fresh air and mingle with others.

She sought to know from the duo, their feelings, tastes and food habits. Ms. Sujatha, who took every care of Venkatesh for 15 years of his fight against the disease, also gave some tips to their parents.

She invited the family to attend a seminar the Foundation would be organising from September 15 to 17 at Hyderabad