New Delhi:
In her class, eight-year-old Radha appears a kid like any other, singing with her teacher. Except, she can't play or can't sit on a swing. She can't even walk.
Radha has a rare genetic disorder - the brittle bone disease which cannot be cured. The smallest fall or a sudden movement can cause a fracture.
''After she turned two, her bones would break at the slightest of falls. Then her body started shrinking,'' recalls Meena, Radha's Mother.
In the last six years, Radha has suffered over 50 fractures. It is a difficult medical history for Meena to cope with.
A divorced mother, she sells parathas for a living, earning 1,500 rupees. She has three other children to take care of.
For a house, they have a coop-like structure where Radha is more prone to accidents. And every fracture means a visit to the Safdarjung Hospital. Even though treatment is free, medicines and supplements are not.
For a calcium-rich diet and proper medication, Radha family needs to spend 2,000 rupees a month. Money they simply don't have.
The only support comes from this local crèche, 'Project Why'.
It has offered Radha free education and it is here she is learning to cope with her disability.
''She now participates in games, class, shouts at boys. We think Radha has the potential to go ahead,'' says Shamika, Radha's Teacher at Project Why.
Radha has a rare genetic disorder - the brittle bone disease which cannot be cured. The smallest fall or a sudden movement can cause a fracture.
''After she turned two, her bones would break at the slightest of falls. Then her body started shrinking,'' recalls Meena, Radha's Mother.
In the last six years, Radha has suffered over 50 fractures. It is a difficult medical history for Meena to cope with.
A divorced mother, she sells parathas for a living, earning 1,500 rupees. She has three other children to take care of.
For a house, they have a coop-like structure where Radha is more prone to accidents. And every fracture means a visit to the Safdarjung Hospital. Even though treatment is free, medicines and supplements are not.
For a calcium-rich diet and proper medication, Radha family needs to spend 2,000 rupees a month. Money they simply don't have.
The only support comes from this local crèche, 'Project Why'.
It has offered Radha free education and it is here she is learning to cope with her disability.
''She now participates in games, class, shouts at boys. We think Radha has the potential to go ahead,'' says Shamika, Radha's Teacher at Project Why.
