| Now, Aussie hope for Manjunath |
| Published
03/15/2008
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March 2008 , Peer Support
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Unrated |
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 NEW DELHI: On Friday, Manjunath Kalmani received a special
visitor at his bedside at the Safdarjung Hospital's intensive care unit.
After reading the paralysed techie's story in TOI, 33-year-old
Australian Perry Cross, who too suffered a similar injury 14 years ago, and is
paralysed neck down, decided to meet Manjunath to given him hope and boost his
morale.
It was an emotional meeting. Perry recounted his post-injury
days in hospital and Manjunath saw a glimmer of hope. In April 1994, Perry
suffered a C2 level spinal cord injury during a football match back home. After
spending more than a year in hospital, Perry was rehabilitated with the help of
latest technology and good nursing assistance.
Today, he travels
around the world to deliver inspirational lectures, giving hope to people,
especially those who have suffered spinal cord injury.
"After I read
about Manjunath, I just wanted to meet him. I know exactly what he is going
through. I have fought my Disability and today I'm in a much better condition,"
said Perry, who is undergoing stem cell treatment in Delhi.
At 4.30
pm, Perry rolled in his motorised wheelchair into Manjunath's room. During their
10 minute long meeting, Perry told Manjunath about his accident and how he has
been on his own for more than 10 years. "I want you to know that you can get
better and can lead a normal life like me. It is not impossible," Perry said.
Perry uses a chin-controlled customized wheelchair with a portable
Ventilator. With the help of his chin, Perry can rotate, move and control the
speed of his wheelchair. He is in Delhi for three months and has customized his
apartment as per his needs.
"Perry sleeps on a special mattress and
has a special wheelchair in the bathroom. We have renovated the house as per his
needs," said Peter Hutchinson, a care giver who has been with Perry for the past
seven years.
"Manjunath is really happy. After meeting Perry he is
confident that he too can lead an almost normal life," said Sudhakar,
Manjunath's brother, who was briefed by Perry about the latest technology
available.
Perry's entire customized set-up costs approximately
$75,000. His wheelchair and portable ventilator alone costs $30,000 each.
His speech restricted by the ventilator, Manjunath nevertheless
managed to tell Perry how happy he was to meet him. Perry in turn promised to
keep in touch on email. Following the meeting, Perry told TOI, "I thank God for
the condition I'm in. He too will recover soon, but needs more care. I
understand what he is going through. One has to ensure that he doesn't get any
bedsores and he immediately needs a mattress, which helps in preventing
bedsores."
Extending a helping hand, Perry told Manjunath, "I can
help you in your Rehabilitation. I can teach you how to speak comfortably."
Before leaving the room, Perry said, "I wish to see you on a similar wheelchair
soon."
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