MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · BRAIN INJURY RECOVERY
A Second Chance: A Sister’s Fight to Bring Her Only Brother Back
When my brother Neeraj met with a serious accident on March 9, our family had no idea that the next few months would become the most difficult period of our lives. What began as a road accident soon turned into a prolonged battle involving brain surgery, infections, prolonged hospitalisation and an uncertain recovery.
10 Days
Between the accident and Neeraj’s emergency brain surgery
4 Sisters
Standing by their only brother throughout his recovery
Relearning Everyday Life
Neeraj’s ongoing recovery today
A road accident becomes a fight for his life
After the accident, Neeraj was taken to the nearest hospital, where his head injury was initially treated without a CT scan. We later learned that internal bleeding and a blood clot had caused severe damage to his brain. He remained on a ventilator for three days without regaining consciousness, and doctors eventually had to perform emergency brain surgery on March 19. My sisters and I were told that there was no guarantee he would regain consciousness after the operation.
“There were days when we had almost no hope of knowing what the next morning would bring. Neeraj had become extremely weak and could no longer be recognised as the person he was before the accident.”
— Shweta, Sister
A financial burden on top of everything else
The financial burden made the situation even harder. Our family had already been struggling financially after a wedding in the family just months before the accident. We used our savings, took loans against salaries, borrowed money at high interest and even pledged our jewellery to continue Neeraj’s treatment. Hospital bills kept increasing, sometimes reaching several lakhs while we were still trying to arrange the previous payment.
मिलाप ने कैसे मदद की
We eventually found Milaap after I saw a fundraising advertisement on Facebook. I reached out through the platform and, after sharing the required details, our family received support from donors. The first time money from Milaap reached our account was an emotional moment for me, because by then we had already exhausted most of the options available to us. I believe that without this support, Neeraj’s second surgery may never have been completed.
“I remember a conversation with Milaap’s Mahesh, who told me not to worry and assured me that support would come. That assurance eventually became real help when our family needed it most.”
— Shweta, Sister
Where Neeraj is today
Today, Neeraj has made progress, but his recovery is still ongoing. His right hand and right leg remain weak, and he struggles to maintain his balance while walking. The brain injury has also affected his speech, understanding and ability to perform everyday tasks independently. We now teach him simple things again, from eating food correctly and dressing himself to using the bathroom safely and understanding everyday routines.
There are small improvements that give our family hope. Neeraj has started learning to dress himself and is gradually developing some of the abilities he lost after the accident. His doctors have not given us a definite timeline for his recovery, but they have said that further improvement is possible. For me, every small step matters because I remember how severely ill my brother was when we were fighting simply to get him through the next day.
I remain deeply grateful to the donors who supported Neeraj without ever knowing him personally. Their contributions gave our family what we had almost lost during the hardest days of treatment: hope. Neeraj still has a long road ahead. We continue to care for him, teach him everyday skills and hope that his strength, balance and speech will improve with time. After everything we have been through, the support we received gave Neeraj a second chance — and gave our family hope that he can continue rebuilding his life.
Facing a brain injury and the cost of emergency surgery?
Emergency brain surgery, prolonged hospitalisation and the complications that can follow often cost far more than a family’s savings or loans can cover. We help families reach a wider circle of support so treatment doesn’t have to stop.
Frequently asked questions
How much does emergency brain surgery and prolonged hospitalisation cost in India?
Costs vary depending on the injury, the length of hospital stay and any complications, but emergency brain surgery followed by extended recovery can run into several lakh rupees. Neeraj’s family used savings, loans and pledged jewellery before turning to a Milaap fundraiser to continue his treatment.
Why is a CT scan important after a head injury?
A CT scan helps doctors quickly identify internal bleeding, blood clots or other damage inside the skull that may not be visible from the outside. Without one, a serious head injury can go undetected until symptoms like loss of consciousness force further investigation, as happened in Neeraj’s case.
What kind of rehabilitation do patients need after a serious brain injury?
Recovery from a serious brain injury often involves relearning basic skills such as walking, speaking, eating and dressing, sometimes over many months. Families frequently take on a large part of this day-to-day rehabilitation themselves, alongside medical follow-ups and physiotherapy.
How do I start a fundraiser for a brain injury or accident recovery?
You typically need a diagnosis report, a treatment cost estimate from the hospital, and identity proof for the patient or the person raising funds on their behalf. Our team helps applicants gather and verify these documents before the fundraiser goes live.
Story shared with permission · Written by Milaap
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