Name: Maramma Age: 47 Belongs to: Theredupally, Kammagudem - Nalgonda Dist. Kids: 2 sons, 1 daughter - Eldest 25, youngest son 23, daughter 20 - all unmarried Husband: Age - 50 - Occupation - handloom weaver - weaves sarees by hand
*Family details:* There are abt 300 families in the village - all with the same occupation - handloom weaving. Men weave sarees and women work on the spinning wheels. This is all they do their whole life. Businessmen come and place orders - takes 6 days to weave 1 saree which makes four in a month approx. Each person who makes abt 4 sarees minimum makes 1200/- a month which is the only source of income for the family. As of now this family is trying to put the second son into the same occupation to support the family. Education is way over what one calls unaffordable here. Villagers also prefer putting their kids into the same occupation since the kid wud start earning for the family rightaway aswell. One other important thing I have been told is tht some of the villagers when they have more than one kid - from the young age they tell him that he is god's kid and tht he has to go and dedicate himself to some priesthood or church - just becos the family cannot support his food costs and the church wud take care of it all when the kid surrenders into priesthood. Some of these farmers own lands of small proportions which are the so called assets they give away in daughter's marriages - but all are wastelands - banjar bhoomulu - u can grow nothing on these practically. The eldest son of this family has been given away to the church, and this boy has been asked to leave the church if he wants to see his mother at the hospital, or wishes to stay and help her at home. Some of the facts are too sad to be mentioned here aswell. *The Medical History:* There has been no drinking water in this village for ages, and the water they drink has way too high levels of flouride. In and out newborns to kids to adults - people of all ages complain of n no of illnesses - the root cause of which is the seriously high levels of flouride thts getting into their body. This woman complained numbness in the fingers & severe back pain 7-8 years ago. She continued working on the wheel inspite of the pain, and couple of years later the eldest son brought her to NIMS - whr the woman's sister works as a nurse/attendant in the Neurology section. Doctors found a good size lump tht formed on one of the vertebrae on the spine - explained tht its effect of excess flouride in the body and recommended an immediate surgery - costing 35 lacs. Knowing tht its unaffordable the family resorted to some oral medication she cud take instead. The numbness kept creeping from hands to arms to the rest of the body slowly as months passed, and last year she went into a coma for a week. As of 2 months ago her body started swelling and she showed severe nerve compression leaving here disabled on bed - unable to feel anything tht happns in the body - doesnt feel hunger/thirst either. She is asked to drink some water and swallow some food to support the body though she doesnt' feel anything much. The village since 3 months as of now is getting Nagarjunasagar water. The interesting part here is tht since the consumption of better sagar water - the whole village is coming up with loads of illnesses & diseases that have been breeding within them for a very long time now. This lady a week ago started crying from severe back pain - and after relative tests the doctors asked her to be admitted in immediately for surgery. As of now, the doctors I believe also warned that there is a small chance of the woman getting into permanent paralysis after surgery. However they have assured the family tht she will live and live without pain or any more spine or numbness issues. Dr. Manas of NIMS heads this case and I gather he has never failed a surgery - and left no after conditions aswell, which is what this family is praying and betting on. *Referral:* I know a lady doctor who dedicated her life to sick and needy in one of the hospitals in Parimi - Sagar. She is the one who referred this case to me when I met her here, and assured me of the genuinity. I have met the eldest son of the family aswell. The woman is admitted into NIMS as of now, so any of u on more qns can surely go visit her, before u give ur decision. *Expense Estimate:* As of today the hospital estimate is 75k. The family got a CM fund release of 35k last week - which leaves a deficit of 40k. The boy just left a hope with me tht whatever we can give them wud help him in a big way. I have not assured the boy anything as of now. Explained him how the group works and how a case needs enough votes from members before its adopted. Unfortunately when I spoke to this boy 2 weeks ago his mom wasnt' this badly worse, and I had advised him to wait on it for atlest 2-3 weeks before I present this case in front of u guys. But now its a totally diff isssue. The woman is already in the hospital crying of pain. SO either we support this case - totally or partially, or if we have another case which deserves more of us there, I will do whatever I can do here personally and convey my apologies on group's behalf. Its upto u guys now. I surely see the genuinety & sadness in this case. Wht does one do if there is no other water to drink for miles together????? I dont' know. Such a sad state. Thnks reading patiently the whole mail guys! Please reply as soon as possible with u. -Divya
