THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ashik S V has been under constant medical attention ever since the day he was born. Now ten, the bony, emaciated-looking youngster can barely walk. He utters few words. His parents are running from pillar to post to cough up a hefty sum to meet the monthly bills for their younger son’s treatment.Ashik and his parents are now seeking the help of good samaritans.‘‘Doctors say he will be able to walk and talk normally like any other child, but it will take time,’’ says his mother Valsala. Ashik’s father T Soman is a daily-wage labourer and still carries his ten-year-old son around.‘‘Ashik was born prematurely - just six months into pregnancy. Ever since, he has needed constant medical attention. The family hails from Dhanuvachapuram in Thiruvananthapuram district. Soman and Valsala have tried all medical systems, hoping that one would provide a magic remedy for their son’s plight. ‘‘Allopathy, Ayurveda and Siddha...We’ve tried it all,’’ says Valsala, with a look of resignation on her face.Ashik had undergone treatment at the SAT Hospital for three years and later at the Ayurveda Hospital at Poojappura. Continued treatment can prove effective, the parents were told. But Soman and Valsala, who have an older daughter in Class IX, fear that their economic plight could hinder their son’s medical progress.‘‘He’s in the second standard now. Once a week, a teacher comes from the Block Resource Centre to teach him,’’ Soman said. Recently, the parents had petitioned Transport Minister V S Sivakumar for a free bus pass for their son, who has to be taken daily to the hospital.‘‘Ashik is 80 percent disabled now. But we hope that he will improve with constant care,’’ Valsala said. A bank account also has been opened in Valsala’s and Ashik’s name at SBT Dhanuvachapuram; 67146743501 is the account number. Address: T Soman, Ashik Bhavan, Manaliyil, Dhanuvachapuram PO, Thiruvananthapuram.
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