Chirag, India
Little Chirag was getting discharged from Hospital after his first successful cleft surgery. I could see the smile on his mother's face. I began to ask, "Tell me about Chirag and how you managed to get bring him for cleft surgery". With a little smile on her bright face Chirag's mother started sharing her experience and deepest feeling.
"Chirag was born to us last year in September, 2003. Chirag being the second child in our family , his birth was to be enjoyed with lots of fanfare in the family. On the day of his arrival I was shifted to the hospital for delivery. I was very keen and excited to see my newborn baby . I naturally dreamt of a lovely and a healthy baby. When Chirag was born I could see signs of disappointment on the faces of everyone. When I saw him I was shocked. I could not gather what had happened to his face and he looked a grisly creature. My mother-in-law was mocking me and telling me I was responsible for all this. Relatives were discussing all the possible causes such as I had defied the custom of not cutting vegetables on Nagpanchami Day (Hindu festival of serpent God) or I had hurt someone. My husband was equally perplexed. I had guilt and confusion about the entire situation. When I started breastfeeding Chirag, I found he is unable to suck the breast milk. Then my gynecologist reassured us. 'Look your child has a defect in lip and palate. You need not worry this is totally curable. You need to be referred to B.K.L.W. Hospital in Dervan'. All this assurance from my doctor and his explanation that this disorder has nothing to do with the eclipse or Nagpanchami reassured us."
"We started feeding Chirag through an eyedropper. To escape from social pressure I was keen on early treatment. So before this first month we brought him to Dervan hospital. Here Dr. Thatte and his cleft team examined him and referred him for cleft lip surgery at four months of age. We were advised by the pediatrician on the right way to breastfeed Chirag and how to take care of him."
"All this information helped us. More than that when my mother-in-law saw so many cleft lip & palate children and some of them looking normal after surgery, her attitude began to change. I felt a sigh of relief that a big burden has been lifted from my heart. The entire family began to accept Chirag and we were eagerly waiting for second camp."
"December 2003 Chirag underwent his first surgery. After the surgery, his face has changed and he looks superb. All my family members and relative are happy. More than just a face he has received love, recognition and acceptance from the society. I feel extremely grateful to Dervan hospital for transforming our lives by a truly selfless act."
Submitted by Dr. Sandeep Bhasin
Consultant Surgeon
Dervan, India
