World | India
Former euthanasia-seeker wins president's medal
It's a modern day fairytale of medical marvels. And the protagonist is engineer Seema Sood, who only two years ago sought permission from the president to die as a release from 15 years of crippling arthiritis.
- IANS
- Published: 23:59 August 12, 2008
Chandigarh: It's a modern day fairytale of medical marvels. And the protagonist is engineer Seema Sood, who only two years ago sought permission from the president to die as a release from 15 years of crippling arthiritis.
Now she is readying to climb the steps of the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan.
A gold medallist from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, who found herself seeking mercy killing after being bed-ridden with an orthopaedic ailment, has now received an invitation from President Pratibha Patil.
Life has indeed been a tough rollercoaster ride for the 37-year-old.
Despair
But the highs might be finally here for the woman from a village in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district struck by rheumatoid arthiritis that devastated not just her career but her life.
The grit and courage that went behind the miraculous recovery following her total knee replacement (TKR) surgery in May this year has been acknowledged by Patil in her detailed message to Sood.
In the letter to Sood dated July 23, President Patil has commended her for her "uncompromising courage and willpower".
"I am delighted to know that after a long period of 15 years you have triumphed over the despair of rheumatoid arthritis and are showing encouraging signs of recovery."
The president also felicitated Manuj Wadhwa, a Mohali-based surgeon, for successfully operating upon Sood.
An excited Sood is not only looking forward to climbing the steps leading to the presidential palace in New Delhi but also of spreading the message of "never give up" to others who like her are suffering various ailments.
If Sood's grit is the power behind her fairytale, then so is the talent and determination of Wadhwa.
Safe hands
She came to the Fortis Hospital, 10km from here in Mohali, at probably the nadir of her life soon after her euthanasia plea.
In the safe hands of the leading specialist joint knee replacement surgeon, Sood underwent the TKR procedure in May this year.
An emotional Sood said: "I am moved and grateful that the president wrote to me. There are so many people like me, yet she has shown such concern towards me. I do hope I can walk into Rashtrapati Bhavan and meet her. For the past 15 years, my world was full of just pain and helplessness," Sood pointed out.
Early medical care urged
Seema Sood now feels that she could have saved her precious years and the pain had she consulted specialist doctors before.
"I would like to advise anyone who is facing an equally serious situation anywhere in the world to not waste time, move with a positive attitude and seek medical help wherever he or she is. Medical science has made tremendous strides and can be of great help. Do not let doubts or misgivings stop you from bringing sunshine back into your life," she said.
"We are indeed happy that our team has been able to successfully perform this rare surgery and Seema can now look at walking again. It is in cases like this that we feel even more proud of all the huge investments made by us in the latest state-of-the-art equipment and building a highly experienced and dedicated team," Fortis hospital medical director Ashok Chordiya said.
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