Over the last eight years, “Punarbasa” has been providing a ray of hope to the disabled persons here. The visually impaired persons and mentally deranged ones get
physiotherapy treatment here. This apart, patients suffering from back pain, joint pains, paralytic attack, spinal cord related disease, arthritis, shoulder pain and children suffering from cerebral palsy are treated for a minimum fee in the institution.
According to Banasmita Nayak, the secretary of Madhapur-based Punarbasa, her husband Dr Biraja Prasad Routray was a normal human being till 2006. But he became physically disabled after he met with a fatal road mishap. He had to lead a life of wheel chair with spinal injury and neckdown paralysis, she said.
“When my husband was undergoing treatment at Olatpur, he decided to end his life as he did not want to live on sympathy and depending on others to complete all his routine works. But I and my husband later decided to serve the disabled,” added Nayak.
So was started the “Punarbasa’, meant for the help and rehabilitation of the disabled persons and since then the couple never looked back. They started providing free physiotherapy, artificial limbs and supportive aids distribution camps for the disabled. Nearly, over a hundred of disabled persons managed to get artificial limbs and elbow clutches free of cost in last many years.
Even, the couple also organises speech and hearing camps, mentally retarded and cerebral palsy free camp at the Punarbasa in regular intervals with the contribution of his near and dear ones and also by personal spending.
Maheswar Padhiary, a physically challenged person of Tunupur , who some years back lost one of his legs in a major road mishap, got an artificial limb free of cost.
“Now I can walk without any support from others and can earn bread for my family. Punarbash has given me a new lease of life,” stated Padhihary.
Apart from providing artificial limbs and free treatments, the oganisation is also encouraging the disabled persons to lead a life of their own by returning to the mainstream, informed Nayak’s husband Biraja Routray.
To provide help at the psychotherapy centre, trained staff along with doctors are roped in, Nayak informed. The organisation also provides Punarbash Samartha Samman to the disabled for their praiseworthy works. It also publishes the Punarbash Samachar, a bilingual bi-monthly news bulletin specially meant for the disabled, she added.