You cannot miss what you have never had. And so we will never know what it is not being able to walk, run or play. But for people who have always missed these everyday routines of life, experiencing them at any point of time in their life is a blessing, a thrill we cannot experience but definitely see.The Rotary Club of Ambala dreamt of providing artificial limbs to people who needed them the most but could not afford it absolutely free. Their dream was realised into a project with the help of the Administration, the Red Cross and the NGO Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur and of course the dedicated Rotarians.The Ambala Limb Project was inaugurated on March 15 by the Haryana Governor Mahavir Prasad and hopes to treat as many handicapped people as possible in the Ambala District. The project has been undertaken in a very systematic manner. Regular surveys were conducted by SDM's, Tehsildars in villages to identify the needy persons. After the registration of the patients they are regulated to the main workshop (Rukmani Devi Hall, Ambala Cantt) for seeking remedial equipment which includes limbs, wheel chairs, hearing aids etc. The camp is equipped with a workshop for assembling limbs, stumps, rubber feet etc. The administration has also arranged for a free bus service from the villages to the camp.According to Rotarian PC Jain who is also the brain behind the project, ``the response had been tremendous. And it is so satisfying that we are able to do something for the society. It is all a result of our team and hard work.''According to Dr Arun Mehta, a rehabilitation expert, ``None of our limbs are pre-fabricated, they are cast right here according to the personal requirements and measurement of each patient.'' The camp deals with cases of polio, spinal deformities, joint problems and neglected polio cases as well.``Each patient has a different problem. Sometimes only the lower limb is required and in some cases it is the foot or the stump. We have experienced workers who make these after taking the measurement and the patient is discharged that very day with everything he needs'' says Dr Mehta.``All the equipment provided is the latest. It is also supportive, protective and preventive. The same treatment at a private hospital will be unaffordable for the villagers'' reveals Dr Mehta.But the most satisfying part of the project is to see the brightness in the eyes and happiness on the faces of the cured patients. Sushma, a polio patient and a student of plus two in a village who was practicing walking with her new limbs couldn't just help smiling ``I will now be able to catch the bus all by myself and reach school. I am so happy.'' And it is this joy and satisfaction that makes the project worthwhile and so successful. After all it is the small things in life that are most important and meaningful.
