Putting the ‘best foot’ forward
| Date :15-Sep-2019 |
An institution’s effort to provide ‘lighter and stronger’ artificial limb is changing lives of people
By Kartik Lokhande :
“Kadam kadam badhaye jaa,
Khushi ke geet gaaye jaa;
Yeh zindagi hain qaum ki,
Tu kaum pe lutayen jaa...”
Sunit Tate
Though these lines of a popular Hindi movie song have a different context, the efforts of a city-based organisation have provided it a new context -- of restoring happiness in the lives of needy people by providing them artificial limb. It is a tale of resolve of a man and happiness of others. The man in the tale is Sumit Gulabrao Tate, prime motivator of Aadhaar Apang Samajik Bahu-uddeshiya Vikas Sanstha. A frail-looking man, who himself has difficulties in walking, Tate is President of the Sanstha. He was doing a course in Industrial Training Institute (ITI) when he found the cause of his life. When he came to know about the alternative, he simply left his ITI course mid-way and dedicated his life to the cause. “I know what it feels like when one is unable to walk normally,” he said, fixing his gaze on something deep in his heart. He is unable to walk like a normal guy because both his legs got weakened due to back-to-back onslaught of typhoid and jaundice in his youth.
Tate thought of providing better artificial limb to needy persons after watching the problems that the physically-challenged faced while using ‘Jaipur Foot’. He was disturbed to see people who had lost their feet in accident or had deformity. “I saw many using artificial limb variety popularly known as ‘Jaipur Foot’. They faced problems and were unable to perform their routine activities with ease. I kept searching for a better solution and came to know about ‘high-tech steel texture prosthesis’ artificial limb,” Tate told ‘The Hitavada’. However, there was a challenge.
Though lighter and stronger, this artificial limb was a costly affair as it had to be imported. But Tate did not lose heart and kept looking for donors to mobilise funds and provide the high-tech artificial limb for free to the needy. The society also responded positively. “Donors were there, waiting to help. Thanks to the individuals and some corporates, our Sanstha could provide high-tech artificial limbs to more than a hundred needy persons since 2011. Whenever I see these persons leading their life with a renewed confidence, the satisfaction I get is nothing short of bliss,” he added. When ‘The Hitavada’ contacted some of the beneficiaries of the high-tech artificial limb, they all were happy. Vikas Satghare, who drives bus and handles maintenance department of a private travel agency, had lost one of his legs in a collision between a State Transport bus and a truck collision in 2012.
He was one of those passengers in the bus who got injured, and later his leg had to be amputed. “Initially, I used Jaipur Foot. It did not suit me. There were problems with finishing. I suffered pain, sores, and stiffness. I got tired in a short span of time. There were problems with walking. Now, I have got new high-tech artificial limb. It is smooth finished. I do not get tired. I attach it for 12 hours at a stretch. This feels like real limb,” Satghare said. Since using the new artificial limb, Satghare has been riding motorcycle and also drove tractor. “I also swim.
Now, it has motivated me to run in marathons. Currently, I am preparing myself for that. But I shall need to get a blade-limb. With the new hope, I am sure I shall be successful in that endeavour too,” he added. Wajid Ali, a coal transport supervisor, is another beneficiary. He lost one of his legs in an accident. Since 1997, he used ‘Jaipur Foot’. “It was heavier. I could not ride a motorcycle, which I love. I also faced problems in conducting martial arts classes. But with the new high-tech artificial limb, my life has changed drastically in the past three months,” he said. He can ride a motorcycle, shift gears, and is also able to conduct not only demonstrations but also classes of martial arts. “Had I got this earlier, I could have done more activities,” he said. Vijay Gokhale, who drives a carriage van, had lost both his legs. Recently, he got the lighter artificial limbs.
According to him, the life is ‘smoother’ now. There are more than a hundred lives that have changed. But, the pursuit of Sumit Tate has not stopped. In fact, it has become more resolute. “I want people to get even better alternative. The technology available with some American companies offers better things. But, the artificial limbs are costlier. If only corporates and individuals come forward to help, even that dream could be realised. I am working on that,” said Tate. After a pause of a couple of seconds, comes a smile on his face and a determination to tell physically challenged persons -- Losing a limb does not mean losing heart... come on, step forward and live life in all its colours.