Rajeswari Success Story

IF THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY: NOT MERELY A CLICHÉ BUT A REALITY
:- THE STORY OF S.RAJESWARI, CHATRAPUR, GANJAM
S.Rajeswari Reddy is an orthopaedically challenged girl who has lost both of her
hands from birth. Her father Sri Benugopal Reddy is a farmer whose monthly income is
not more than 1000/-. He also manages his family by taking up tutorial classes in the
village. Rajeswari has lost her mother S.Saraswati Reddy, when she was only 2 years
old. Now she stays with her father, grandfather, grandmother, uncle, and aunt at
Gedalpalli village of Chatrapur, Ganjam. She is 10 years and is studying in class – IV at
her village Primary School.
When she was only 4 years old, the teacher of the Gadalpalli PS try to bring her
to the school. Her family members were reluctant to send her school for education. They
thought that it is not possible for a handless girl child to learn anything. The teacher of
this school brought this matter to the CRCC, BRCC and SSA staff. The SSA officials
visited to this village and collected the case history of her family. When the child was 5
years, the SSA staff visited her village again and tried to motivate the members of her
family. Her family had a totally negative attitude toward their child and they thought
that education is a far cry for this unfortunate child.
The staff of I.E intervention explained members that the lack of hands for the
girl is not a serious handicap in acquiring education and they explained her family
members in detail as to how to read, write and grasp teaching in the classroom
situation. Different facilities for CWSN were also explained to the family elaborately.
After a great deal of persuasion and motivation, her father finally agreed to send her to
school. The teachers of the school were also explained as to how a handless child can
use her legs for writing.
The family member of her child were also guided as to how to help the handless
child in performing her daily living activities like, brushing, bathing, eating, going to the
toilet, wearing dresses, combing etc. Now the child is able to do most of these activities
perfectly by using her legs. Her family members also help her in this. This is only for
special effort by Theme Based Camp.
Now the child is in class – IV at Gadalpalli PS of Chatrapur, Ganjam. She comes
to school regularly and performs all classroom activities herself. She writes by using her
leg. She also makes drawing perfectly. She has developed interested in extra-curricular
activities. She plays with her friends and siblings without any inhibition and she is now a
more confident child. Now she is getting disability pension from Block and escort
allowances from SSA. Her family is happy to see the smile back in the face of the child.
The Theme Based Camps helped the child to exhibit her talent.

(Rajeswari eating foods by her leg) (Rajeswari brush her teeth by leg)
( Rajeswari make up her face by leg) (Rajeswari playing with her friends by leg)
(Rajeswari write with her leg) (District Collector seen rajeswari writing)