)
A man born with a giant leg disease is raising funds to acquire a fully customised wheelchair accessible vehicle and a powered wheelchair.
The early morning hours of March 15, 1981, saw the birth of Arun Rajasingh. Arjun, who has grown up to be an engineer, designer and entrepreneur, also happens to be born with a rare genetic mutation condition. The disease has compelled him to live with a giant right leg. The leg weighs 92 kg today and has kept him bed-ridden for the past 5 years.
However, if Arun can obtain a motorised wheelchair and a customised van that can carry the wheelchair around, his home-bound condition will change. This customised power wheelchair is designed and being developed by Callidai Motor Works in Chennai. He needs funds for this which he is trying to raise through the site, Milaap. The Chennai resident admits that he has had to put his ego aside and acknowledge that he could use some help.
Till 8 years ago, Arun was able to move around, have a social life and even riding a bike. In 2008, he founded Kenriche Technologies, an IT based firm. But with the passage of time, his condition worsened. His mobility reduced. Subsequently, this impacted his business. Currently, he runs his company virtually and has no permanent employees. He is not just under tremendous pain from the muscle knots in his leg but is also enduring severe OCD and diabetes.
In 1997, Arun’s case was investigated by doctors from Boston Children’s Hospital as well as 25 interns from Harvard Medical School. Their best solution was amputation of the leg. Arun refused to go ahead with it since, at the time, he had learned to live with and love his giant leg. Some doctors in Vellore, Tamil Nadu suggested removing the tissues that are responsible for the inflation of his leg. But Arun says it will be a waste of time since the tissues will regrow. He says, “It is like trimming the leaves of a tree which would definitely grow again.” Besides, he is aware that he won’t be able to finance the surgery and cope with the psychological stress of it all.
Arun, who has depended on his siblings and father for far too long, cannot wait to lead an independent life. Equipping himself with a wheelchair and a transport vehicle is his best shot at that. “I want to meet clients, have a social life. I want to make Kenriche Technologies big so that I can give people like me a chance,” he concludes.
To help Arun, click here.
