Giving them back dignity

AHMEDABAD: Eight months ago the family of Natwarlal Parmar, 67, was on the verge of mass suicide. His wife is ailing, 19-year-old daughter is mentally challenged and 24-year-old son physically impaired.
The helpless former handloom unit worker was contemplating the extreme step, when someone mentioned HelpAge India. That saved four lives. "We provided him livelihood support of Rs 600 per month under SaGP (our Sponsor a Gran Programme).His daughter was sent to Sewatirth in Vadodara. Now, we're encouraging him to join a self-help group and make a living," says Anil Massey, senior manager of the Gujarat chapter.
Another problem the elderly often face is abuse and exploitation from family members. Rosemary Xavier, 68, lost her husband in an accident in 1994. Her elder son has forcibly occupied one of her houses, isolated her from her other children and browbeats and ill-treats her at every opportunity. He has even asked for a share in her pension.
Rosemary has filed a case against him and HelpAge is fighting for her cause, hoping to get her speedy justice - and peace of mind.
HelpAge India's Gujarat chapter started functioning in 1997 and has been working for the cause and care of disadvantaged aged persons ever since. The Ahmedabad office is in Sadvichar Parivar campus on Satellite Road.
Its free Mobile Medicare Unit (MMU) has come to the rescue of many. Take the case of Sukhram Singaram, 70, who lives in a slum in Saraspur with his younger son. Around 15 years ago, the former mill worker started suffering from debilitating pain and inflammation in knees and feet. Soon, he couldn't even stand and was dependent on a caregiver. Three years ago he was treated at the MMU. Today, he can walk on his own with a stick.
And, for Parvati Nalvaya, 70, a tribal woman from Limbadra, 20 km from Dahod, the organization's vision restoration programme has been a boon. She lost sight in both her eyes due to cataract sometime ago.
She couldn't afford treatment as her four sons are migrant labourers and can barely put together a family income of Rs 2,000. Free eye camps organized by HelpAge, which perform over 40,000 surgeries a year, restored not just her sight, but also her dignity.