Spirit that soars

[Guest guest]

Spirit that soars

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Spirit-that-soars/233752/

Posted online: Tuesday , October 30, 2007 at 12:00:00

Pune, October 29 Twenty-year-old Ketki Brahmankar is just back from an

awareness camp cum meet in Australia held for children with arthiritis, an

experience, which she stresses, both empowered and enriched her life. For

Ketki has been suffering from arthritis herself since the age of 14-a rare

but real occurence all the same.

The camp organised by the Arthiritis Foundation of Western Australia, was

looking for a representative from India, to observe the proceedings and

participate as a camp leader. And, who better than Ketki to do the honours,

as she was more than acquainted with the tribulations of the disease, felt

her rheumatologist Dr Arvind Chopra.

" I filled an online form for the Bone and Decade Foundation explaining my

tryst with the disease:I was diagnosed with Juvenile Ideopathic Arthiritis

when I was about 14. It started with a swelling in my left knee accompanied

with fever and cold. Soon my other knee started hurting as well. It was then

that the picture became clearer, " she shares.

" Nobody knows exactly why arthiritis happens to young children. It's an

autoimmune disease, which causes a lot of swelling and inflammation in the

joints. Some grow out of it in time, but the majority learn to live with it,

with the help of medication, " says the brave young woman, ever so matter of

factly. " And so, I went to the camp, along with Dr Chopra's assistant Dr

Vinaya Kunjir. "

While her suffering may well restrict her activities- nothing can curb her

spirit. Or her abilities of observation.

" The reason why I had been invited to the camp was that I could observe the

activities and organise the same for children in India. And since I have

been a patient for several years now, I could relate with the problems of

the children , " says the final year BA student. " There were several activities

held for the kids, who ranged between 7 to 17 years, including such hardcore

outdoor sports like canoeing and rafting, which helped build both confidence

and team spirit, " she narrates.

This was followed by a seminar organised by the Bone and Decade Foundation

on the Gold Coast, where she made a presentation on her experiences at the

camp, the situation in India, and so on.

" The problem out here is that only children from urban areas have access to

specialists. Also, we only know arthirtis to be an old people's disease. I

want to do what I can to dispel the notion. "

She would also like to add that children with the problem can lead a normal

life--with the right approach. " The Bone and Decade Foundation is organising

an internationalconference on arthiritis-related issues in Pune, late next

year, " she says. " I'm really looking forward to the same. "