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Usha'a story When Usha went completely blind 3 years ago, her heartbreak had only started.A wife and mother of three, Usha could no longer clean the house, fetch water, cook for the children. She was helpless. As far as her husband was concerned, she was helpless... and useless. So he beat her. He abandoned her. And he took her children away from her. Usha’s children are 11, 10 and 3. She’s never even seen her 3 year old’s face. She only knows the touch of it. Her husband told Usha she should not go to the hospital. She should not get her eyes fixed. The reason is selfish and cruel. Because he would like to take a new wife. In this society, it’s okay - at least understandable - to abandon a blind wife. But it’s not so acceptable to abandon a seeing one. Esther the community eye care worker from cbm’s partner convinced Usha to go with her to the hospital to get her eyes operated on. She assured Usha that staff would escort her the whole way to the hospital. They’ll take her to a special entrance for what they call “direct admission” – a kind of fast-tracking. “When I see again, I will bring the children here to this village and put them in a nearby school.” “It will be a struggle, but I believe I can get my children back.” Usha knows she needs an “apudom” – a miracle. The word makes her cry again – a heartbreaking sob. Nothing short of a miracle will mend Usha’s broken heart and family. Usha after  When Usha’s bandages were removed we watched as this timid, frail woman took in the world through her perfectly restored eye drew herself up tall and began to take charge of her life.When the bandage first came off, tears of joy rolled down Usha’s cheek and onto the pillow. She wouldn’t stay lying down. She insisted on sitting up and a gorgeous smile broke through the tears. “I am very happy to see again. I am eager to see my children. As soon as I go home, I want to see my children and hold them. “I have not seen my 3 year old. She was just a dark figure. I hope I will see her very well now.” When we arrive back at Usha’s village, her children are waiting inside their mother’s small home. They hear her coming and they run out to meet her. Usha scoops her littlest one up into her arms and gazes into her beautiful pouting face – a little replica of her father. At just 3, Gurupria doesn’t understand that her mother can now see, and she’s not happy about the strange white faces she sees around her, looking at her. At the same time, Usha is hugging her two brave boys Sabunashan (11) and Kingnashan (9). Usha can’t stop looking at her children. She sits down with them and talks fondly and easily with them. Usha can’t stop the smile spreading on her face again and again. Her oldest, Sabunashan, speaks somberly. He carries heavy cares and responsibilities. He needs his mother to lean on. Gurupria is content to be on her mother’s lap, but she keeps reaching for her brothers’ hands, which are never far from her. |
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