Lying on a hospital bed in Pitampura, 40-year-old Santosh tries to explain what happened on the fateful morning of June 13. His attempt to speak proves futile and he leaves it to his wife Uma to explain what happened on that day in Janakpuri that left him invalid and two others dead. Uma begins by first explaining the need to recount the horrific incident and then how a drunk man turned their world upside down.
“The right side of his body has been paralysed. He can’t work. Since I have to take care of him, I cannot go to work either. We are being helped by our employers, but for how long? I have rent to pay. Three of my four children go to school. From food to tuitions and rent, there are question marks everywhere,” she says.
Uma then goes on to recall how Santosh had told her that he was cleaning a car outside the gated colony when another car hit him. The impact threw him in the air, before he landed on his head, fracturing a part of the skull. Santosh usually cleaned cars inside the colony.
Doctors are sceptical
He was first taken to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital before being brought to Sri Surajbhan Kanodia Stroke and Paralysis Centre in Pitampura. That the treatment is being provided free of cost is of little relief to the family, but the doctor’s prediction, though assuring, is not without a crucial rider. “We cannot say what will be the percentage of recovery, that is, will basic body movements be restored or will he be able to work like he used to earlier. Any diagnosis will take at least six more months,” said Naresh Kumar, a neuro-physiotherapist.
Dr. Kumar said the accident left a massive blood clot in Santosh’s brain, which caused brain haemorrhage and left the right side of his body paralysed. Hoping against hope is Uma, who knows that relying on the Rs.5,000 her eldest son earns will mean withdrawing her daughters from school or stopping the private coaching that her daughter, who has just finished Class X, goes to. With her son’s monthly income being equal to the rent the family of six pays for the cramped room at Sagarpur, the situation could lead to starvation.
“I wish he had stayed inside that day,” she says ruefully.
With great difficulty and despair writ large in his eyes, Santosh nods in agreement.
The accident resulted in a massive blood clot which caused brain haemorrhage and left the right side of Santosh's body paralysed
