Nuns help disabled people

(December 02, 2010) The nuns in Kurnool diocese of Andhra Pradesh provide physically challenged people with physiotherapy at their centre in Gargeyapuram village from where they have been aiding the physically challenged since 2000. According to Sister Dayarani, 2,445 patients have been treated so far. “Work among the physically-challenged is challenging,” she said. The nuns, who have case files for every person, treat these patients in their houses as poor families cannot afford to bring the disabled to the centre. Transport is also a big problem and one or two attendants have to accompany the patient, she added. Sister Dayarani said that the nuns also provide physiotherapy training to family members to help the patients. However, Abraham Kasipogu, who helps the nuns, said some want to remain handicapped as they do not want to lose the government’s disability pension of 500 rupees (US$11) a month. Mobility India, which addresses issues of the disabled, especially those from the impoverished sector, supports the nuns’ efforts by sending students twice a year for two weeks to learn from them. Five students from India, Nepal, Palestine and Bangladesh are currently working with the nuns.