I : Better vision for Venkatesan
Venkatesan is a member of the Special group for the PwDs in New ErumaiVettiPalayam village, Sholavaram block,at the age of he faced deteriorating vision. He was born with no vision in his left eye, but was managing his daily activities with his right eye until his left eye vision started declining gradually.This decline restricted his mobility and independence, leading to increased dependency on others for simple taskslike traveling and navigating roads became daunting challenges.
His inability to judge distances and obstacles led to frequent accidents, causing both physical and emotional distress.
In one of the group meetings Venkatesan shared his struggles and he was promptly provided him with a blind stick by CRUSADE. This intervention proved to be transformative for Venkatesan, as it offered him the support and assistance he desperately needed to regain his independence. "I felt I would be confined to one place, but now I can navigate and access my needs in neighboring areas." Says Venkatesan.
II : Restored vision for Balamma
Balamma (60), a member of the MUTHALAMMAN Self Help Group in Velambakkam village, found herself at crossroads when her vision began to deteriorate, affecting her ability to assist her husband, who has a loco motor disability. She was even unable to identify and remove tiny stones and impurities in rice before cooking .Living separately from their children, Balamma and her husband relied on their milch cow and small plot of land for growing vegetables for their livelihood, besides government employment programme.
She recognised that there is need to undergo medical intervention but doesn't know how to manage the situation. And at this juncture CRUSADE in collaboration with Agarwal Eye Hospital organized an eye camp aimed at screening for cataract and vision problems within the community. Balamma seized this opportunity and underwent a thorough examination, which revealed she had cataract. Balamma underwent successful cataract surgery with IOL implantation, offered totally free of cost. This transformative intervention not only restored her vision but also rejuvenated her spirit.With her newfound clarity of sight, Balamma can now navigate her daily tasks with ease and precision. She no longer struggles to assist her husband and is able to contribute to their household activities more enthusiastically. Her husband marvels at her ability to identify visitors from afar, a feat she couldn't accomplish before her surgery.
III : Impact of Life Skill education.
In SengazhuneerMedu village in Minjur block, CRUSADE provided a comprehensive life skills education program for women self-helpgroups. This initiative aimed not only to impart knowledge but also to instill confidence and resilience within the members of the self-help groups (SHG), thereby catalyzing positive change at both individual and community levels.
As a member of the Karpagambal SHG, Manjula bore witness to the struggles of her daughter, who found herself entangled in a web of misunderstandings and discord within her marital home. Faced with the daunting prospect of separation from her husband and the responsibility of caring for her infant child, recognizing the pivotal role Life Skill training could play in her daughter's journey to empowerment, Manjula approached our staff with a plea for help and caught hold of a copy of the book on LS training. Armed with practical life skills and a newfound sense of resilience, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and renewal now she is ready to go with her husband and tackle all problems together with her husband.
The impact of her transformation reverberated, serving as a source of inspiration and hope for others facing similar struggles. Through her courage and determination, she not only reconciled with her in-laws and husband but also emerged as a beacon of motivation for women in her community.
