MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · SPINAL CORD INJURY
A Father's Love, A Brother's Sacrifice, and a Long Road Back to Life
A year ago, my brother Harcharan’s life changed in seconds. A single-parent father who raised his son alone, he woke up from emergency surgery almost completely paralysed. I left my job to become his full-time caregiver, and strangers helped us continue what savings alone could not.
3 Mos
Spent in the hospital immediately following his emergency surgery
2x Daily
Physiotherapy sessions, morning and afternoon, that make up his routine
1 Yr+
Of ongoing rehabilitation since the accident, with more still ahead
A father who was everything to his son, then a crash
Before the accident, my younger brother Harcharan was a hardworking, devoted father. After his wife left, he single-handedly raised his young son. Every morning he woke up before dawn to prepare his son’s school bag and meals before leaving for work, and no matter how tired he was, he always found time for homework and bedtime. He also looked after our elderly mother, who has a disability. His entire life revolved around his family.
Everything changed on 4th July 2024. Harcharan was driving home after work, taking his usual shortcut to reach his son quickly, when a bright light blinded him and caused him to crash into a divider. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his injuries were too severe for them to handle, and the next morning he was transferred to Delhi. Doctors told us he had suffered a critical C3-C4 spinal cord injury, and emergency surgery was his only chance.
Although the surgery was successful, Harcharan woke up to a life he could never have imagined. His body was almost completely paralysed. He could not move his hands or legs, sit up, eat, drink, or turn in bed without help.
“Seeing someone who once worked hard every day for his family become bedridden has been emotionally devastating. Every small improvement takes months of rehabilitation and patience.”
— Gurdeep, Brother
A lifelong expense, not a one-time cost
Before asking anyone else for help, we did everything we could ourselves. We sold whatever assets we had, borrowed money from relatives and close friends, and took loans to pay for the surgery and initial treatment. I left my own job because Harcharan needed someone to stay with him full-time. We soon realised that spinal injury treatment is a lifelong expense, and we could not continue managing it on our own.
This is the gap most families facing a spinal cord injury fall into. The surgery is often only the beginning. Long-term rehabilitation, physiotherapy, medicines, and specialised equipment continue to add up long after the initial emergency has passed, and long after a family’s savings and assets are gone.
How I found Milaap
It was the doctors and medical team who introduced us to Milaap. They understood the financial burden we were facing and suggested we start a crowdfunding campaign. Until then, we had never thought about raising funds through an online platform. Looking back, that advice became one of the biggest turning points in our journey.
It was a feeling very difficult to describe. We were deeply moved that complete strangers chose to help someone they had never even met. Every contribution reminded us that humanity still exists and gave us hope during one of the darkest periods of our lives
“We cannot thank you enough for the kindness you have shown our family. You gave us hope during one of the darkest periods of our lives. We continue to believe that one day he will regain enough strength to hug his son again.”
— Gurdeep, Brother
Where Harcharan is today
from a spinal cord injury is slow, but we are seeing gradual progress. He attends physiotherapy every weekday, with sessions running through the morning and again in the afternoon. Although he still depends on us for most daily activities, we remain hopeful.
His young son now lives with me because his father requires full-time medical care, attending school online instead of in person. Watching that change has been one of the most painful parts of this journey. But we continue believing that every small improvement in Harcharan’s recovery is another step closer to the day he can be fully present in his son’s life again.
Facing the long-term cost of a spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injuries are rarely a one-time expense. Months of rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and specialised care continue to add up long after surgery is over. We help families reach a wider circle of support so recovery doesn’t have to stop.
Frequently asked questions
How much does spinal cord injury treatment cost in India?
Costs vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the length of rehabilitation required, but they commonly run into several lakh rupees when surgery, hospitalisation, and months of physiotherapy are combined. Ongoing rehabilitation adds a significant recurring cost well beyond the initial surgery.
What does a C3-C4 spinal cord injury mean?
C3-C4 refers to the specific vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine) where the injury occurred. Injuries at this level are typically severe, often affecting movement and sensation throughout most of the body, and usually require intensive, long-term rehabilitation.
How long does recovery from a spinal cord injury typically take?
Recovery timelines vary significantly based on the severity and location of the injury. Many patients require months to years of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, with progress often measured in small, gradual improvements rather than a single recovery milestone.
How do I start a fundraiser for a family member's spinal cord injury?
You typically need a diagnosis report and a treatment cost estimate from the hospital, along with 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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