Former District Collector help Kalady student with spinal atrophy get new wheelchair

Kochi: Sajna, a young woman who lost mobility below the waist due to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), has received a new electric wheelchair, due to the intervention of former Ernakulam District Collector NSK Umesh. The wheelchair, sponsored by Pavizham Group Managing Director NP Antony, was handed over at a function held at the District Collectorate. Angamaly Block Panchayat member KV Abhijith was also present.

Originally from Kanhangad in Kasaragod, Sajna is currently in the final year of her M.Sc. in Psychology at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady. To support her education, her mother and brother have relocated and live in a rented house near the university.

Until recently, Sajna depended on an old electric wheelchair donated by the Prajaahita foundation, a nonprofit organisation, four years ago. Every day, her mother, Padmini, accompanies her to campus and picks her up at 4 pm. It was KV Abhijith—also a research scholar at the university—who brought Sajna’s situation to the attention of the District Collector. Acting swiftly, the Collector arranged a new sponsor and facilitated the donation of a brand-new electric wheelchair.

Sajna had earlier completed her B.Sc. in Psychology with distinction. The HOPE Charitable Trust has been supporting her financially in her academic journey. Her brother, Abhijith Kumar, works laying roofing sheets—the family’s sole source of income.

Sajna now dreams of pursuing a PhD and becoming a psychologist.