This year marks the 100th birth anniversary of Dr Mary Verghese. Her legacy and contribution to the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR) continues to inspire and change lives of our spinal cord injury patients like Rani*.
Rani was a bright schoolgirl from a small village in Vellore, with full of dreams. 17 years ago, a heart-breaking road accident left her with a spinal cord injury. Unable to walk, her future seemed uncertain.
She was admitted at the Rehabilitation Institute in CMC Vellore. After four months of intensive therapy, she learned to move using a wheelchair. During her stay, she attended the Rehab Mela where she was guided to join a tailoring course at Mary Verghese Trust campus. This small step ignited her confidence to be more independent. She went on to participate in wheel chair sports, completed her undergraduate degree and worked at a petrol station. Despite setbacks, Rani moved forward with tenacious grit and determination.
Today, Rani is a wheelchair basketball champion, a para-athlete, and a marathon finisher. She also trains and mentors newly injured patients, proving that disability is not a barrier to success. She works at the canteen in the Rehab Institute where she continues to inspire other patients in the campus.
Rani’s transformation was possible because of the continued care and the inspiration she received. There are others like her waiting for a second chance. You can be a part and support the special Rehab Mela this year as we honor the legacy of Dr. Mary Verghese on her 100th birth anniversary. Every gift is precious and is life changing for another person.
The Rehab Mela is an annual 3-day event in February that offers medical support and opportunities for the patients recovering from spinal cord injuries to discover their talents through cultural, arts and sports activities. They interact with the multidisciplinary team and learn from alumni in the community of people with disabilities.
*Name changed
Story contributed by the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
