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“My parents told me I was dead to them the day I chose love. ‘If you marry him, forget us forever,’ they said. But I didn’t care. Aravind held my hand, and we built our life together—alone, but with love. And now, the same man everyone rejected is offering his liver to our son, but we are struggling to arrange the funds to go ahead with the transplant that could save our son’s life.”—Padmavathi, mother of the beneficiary
Padmavathi had eloped and married Aravind, whom she had loved since 10th grade, in the hopes that she would get to lead a wonderful life with him. And she was right; everything went well in the first few years—they had their first child, a boy, and Aravind worked hard to provide for the family despite not having a high-paying job. But just a few months after the birth of their second child, their world began to fall apart. At three months old, their baby started suffering from repeated bouts of cold, fever, and breathlessness. He has been admitted to hospitals at least six times since then. After months of tests, X-rays, and scans, doctors discovered that the child had a hole in his heart and that a blood vessel leading to his liver was not functioning properly.
Even after undergoing two rounds of angioplasty, the issue couldn’t be fixed. Doctors have now concluded that the child must undergo a liver transplant first, followed by heart surgery later. Aravind has generously decided to give a part of his liver to save his son, but they don’t have the funds for it.
‘He can barely speak in sentences… but he understands pain’
Now just three years old, the little boy is visibly unwell and weak. He is too young to express himself fully, but his suffering is clear. He stays indoors most days as he is too weak to run or play like other children his age. Doctors say his condition is urgent. His liver is not receiving proper blood flow, and his blood pressure remains dangerously high. If not treated soon, even a mild infection like pneumonia could be fatal.
“He doesn’t understand what’s happening, but he knows something is wrong. He points at the hospital and cries. He’s scared of the injections, the tests, the machines. He clings to me whenever we go. No child should have to live like this.”—Padmavathi, mother
’Those I helped during their time of need are ignoring me now’
The family has already spent ₹6 lakhs, mostly through loans and by selling Padmavathi’s jewellery. They have no property, no savings, and no relatives who are willing to help. Aravind had taken up a contract job at a private bank but had to resign after just three months because of his son’s worsening health. Before that, he worked as a technician at a satellite TV service provider. He has always been a helping hand to others—but today, even those he once helped are no longer taking his calls. He doesn't know how he will arrange the lakhs of rupees required for his son's urgent liver transplant.“We ran away from home for love. We never asked for much… just a simple life. Now, our child’s life is slipping away and there’s no one standing with us. Even my close friends, whom I had helped during crises are turning a blind eye to my child’s suffering.”—Aravind, father
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