The story is of a special girl named Shree Jyoti Panda, born on 08th March 2009. She was born with many physical challenges including clubfoot, flat fingers, and a bent thumb. Diagnosed with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, her early years were marked by struggles with mobility, feeding, and basic activities. Despite a failed corrective surgery, her family and a dedicated team of experts embarked on a journey of hope, leveraging therapies and innovative solutions to improve her quality of life.

Early Stage:

Shree Jyoti has a club foot and her hand fingers are also flat and the right hand thumb was also bent when she was born. It was difficult to feed her as she was having problems in sucking liquid foods, chewing food. When she was one year old she had surgery on her foot with the hope that she would be able to walk but it was not successful. After consultation with a genetic doctor at AIIMS Delhi, it was found that she is suffering from Rubinstein-Tyabi syndrome, which could be improved by adopting different therapies. So, the journey of hope started.

Therapy Intervention:

She was given physiotherapy, occupational therapy sensory integration, special education, and many more therapies. A special shoe was also designed for Shree to wear for standing for hours, which is very painful. She had also tried to walk on the sands, slopes imbalanced surfaces, and other painful activities to walk properly. Similarly, in speech, many exercises were done. Also, occupational therapies were given to make her joints flexible, which helped her to perform her own day-to-day activities like taking baths, feeding herself & brushing her teeth. Sensory integration helped her develop her senses like smelling, testing, and paying attention to the call of nature. Special education helped her to read and write and to know the minimum basic things.

Special Dance Intervention:

After the advice of a cousin’s sister she was admitted into a dance class which brought a remarkable change. Now she can elegantly perform Odissi & Modern Dance. This is just an inspiring story of a girl who overcame her disabilities to achieve extraordinary things. Her journey reminds us that limitations are just in our minds and that with willpower, persistence, and a belief in oneself, anything is possible.

SGFT’s Approach:

SIKSHYA GRAM FOUNDATION TRUST has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between disability and normalcy, working tirelessly to improve the lives of disabled children through comprehensive support systems since 2008. The Journey started with Shree Jyoti Panda, our 1st case.

SGFT has been providing the following support for Shree Jyoti Panda to overcome her disabilities

1. Occupational therapy: In consultation with Dr. Durga Parasd Mishra, Dr. Anil Kabi Satapathy
2. Corrective Surgeries: AIIMS Delhi
3. Special Education: Smt. Lucy Bharadwaj
4. Speech Therapy: Sri Ramesh Mishra
5. Child Psychologist: Dr. Sambit Nanda.

SGFT India exists to build an inclusive society where persons with disabilities can achieve their full potential. For over 15 years, SGFT has worked alongside persons with disabilities communities. Working directly with persons with disabilities, other disadvantaged populations, and partner organizations, by influencing policy at all levels. Recently SGFT has conducted a health workshop for the mental health of disabled children & their communities.