Defying congenital defects: Growing up against all odds

AGAINST ALL ODDS: The life of children who have congential disorders isn't exactly a bed of roses.

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New Delhi: While the debate over Mehta couple’s plea to abort their foetus detected with congenital defects rages on, it’s ultimately the children born with such disorders who have to lead a difficult life.

Five-year-old Vishesh Gupta made headlines in 2007 when his school expelled him due to his congenital defect. Vishesh was born with a neurogenic bladder and needs a catheter to pass urine.

His play school said the tube was scaring other children. But after Vishesh's mother fought for her son's right, the school was forced to readmit him.

"I don’t know how long he will live but as long as he is here with us, I’ll fight for all his rights in the society,” Vishesh’s mother, Pooja Gupta, says.

For two-year-old Arjunodaya, life so far has been a series of surgeries. He has an anorectal anomaly, in which the anus and rectum fail to function properly. His parents had difficulty in procuring blood.

They contacted donors of rare blood groups through SMSes, emails and phone calls. Now Arjunoday's parents have created a website called www.rareblodgroups.org to help people facing similar crises.

“Today we have a huge number of people forming a huge support group,” Arjunoday’s father, Rahul, says.

For children like Arjunoday and Vishesh life is not going to be easy. But the love and courage of their parents have enabled them to face their problems with a smile.