Although this is an old strory, im not sure if it was posted.
Now we have all heard of Pakistani kids who go to India for surgery, but in this case, a woman from India crossed over to Lahore for reconstructive surgery…
Interesting.
Thursday, September 28, 2006 (Lahore):
There have always been stories of young Pakistani babies crossing over to India for complicated cardiac surgeries or other medical treatment.
But there is a report that Kuldip Kaur, a woman from Bhopal, made the journey across borders to Lahore looking for a chance to reclaim her life after she was badly scarred in an acid attack.
About five years ago a domestic squabble in Bhopal changed her life, her husband flung acid on her and left with three of her children.
Kuldip was badly injured, her face and chest badly burned, her hearing gone and her eyesight partially damaged. And she still had to take care of her youngest child.
“He threw acid on me while I was sleeping,” said Kuldip.
Abandoned by everybody
After the accident Kuldip had nowhere to go. Her parents couldn’t afford to let her stay with them.
She went into depression became a recluse and attempted suicide thrice. Almost three years later her brother found an NGO in Lahore, which offered free surgery to women with acid burns.
But it was another year and a half before Kuldip got a passport and a visa.
“She was quite frightened because most of patients who come to us they are not that isolated. Our family told us that she was so afraid of her husband, of people and the society because she was not acceptable to them as her face was disfigured,” said Samina Afzal Naz, General Secretary, Depilex Smile Again.
“We did a number of surgeries on her and we took care of her upper lip both eyes her left vision is affected. We have taken care of those. Then I have done eyebrow transplant but her main problem is that she cannot hear,” said Dr Abrar Pirzada, Plastic Surgeon.
For Kuldip, it has been more than just the surgery. Her stay at the clinic has helped her recover in other ways too.
Sabira once a patient herself at Smile Again after being burned by her husband 13-years-ago has been a pillar of strength.
Sabira Sultana, a survivor of acid attack, believes that though they are divided by borders they are united in grief
“I believe I should not let what has happened to me spoil my future. I have a life ahead of me. I can still hear and speak. Those who have lost their hearing and speech abilities should muster the courage to move forward,” said Sabira.
Pakistan has come a long way in fighting violence against women and NGOs like this with help from people like Sabira are at the forefront of this struggle.