A Lovely story: from uncertainty to hope 

When Lovely was born, doctors at the Mumbai hospital were scared to touch her. She’d been born with facial deformities and no eyes, and it would take a long time for her family to be able to find the right support for their daughter.  

Lovely was diagnosed with blindness and a learning disability. Wanting to learn more, her family travelled to Nepal. But the doctors there explained there was no treatment to help Lovely, nor hope for her future.  

Lovely was brought up at home. She didn’t settle – struggling to sit still, crying frequently and clinging to her mother. Her family were at a loss as to how to help her and were left to support themselves.  

As the years passed by it became clear that Lovely faced more challenges. She struggled to sit still, cried frequently and clung to her mother. Lovely’s mother eventually found Anganwadi, a rural childcare centre but they were unsure about supporting a child with multiple disabilities. Looking for information and guidance they found Sense International India. 

A young blind girl playing with toys and sitting with a woman.

A new chapter  

After six years, Lovely and her family had finally found people who understood the challenges Lovely faced. Unfortunately, the centre was an hour from Lovely’s home and her mother was hesitant to travel alone. Sense International were able to offer in-home support to show the difference therapy could make to Lovely’s development, encouraging her to access the centre. 

A young girl sitting with a woman reading a book.

Since then, the change in Lovely has been remarkable. She’s able to communicate in meaningful sentences; she recognises different people by their voice; she knows the names of her teachers and friends and likes to tell them about her life. 

Lovely’s parents are overjoyed by the changes they have seen in their daughter. No longer alone and isolated, she plays happily with her teachers and has developed meaningful and loving bonds with many people. Everyone is excited that she’ll be able to receive an education and, in time, become confident and independent.  

A young girl sitting in a hammock and smiling.

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