23 May,2014 07:09 AM IST | | Anuradha Varanasi
Going from strength to strength with each session to learn the use of her prosthetic arms, the train accident survivor yesterday wrote her full name, as well as those of her loved ones
Monika managed to write her full name on a sheet of paper
Despite the pain and discomfort that 16-year-old Monika More experiences while using her myoelectric arms, the plucky teenager's family members are thrilled each time they watch Monika hard at work in Chembur's Otto Bock centre, as she moves from one milestone to another and shows greater improvement with each progressive session.
Also read: Mumbai girl, who lost both arms in train accident, can write again
They now look forward to taking her back to their Kurla residence, having stayed for over four months in civic-run KEM Hospital.
Writing again: Monika managed to write her full name on a sheet of paper yesterday. (right) Monika practicing at the Otto Bock centre in Chembur, where she is learning how to use her prostheses
"She undergoes physiotherapy for half an hour every morning in the Parel hospital, following which we bring her to Chembur. We are overwhelmed by the support we have been receiving, but we are fed up staying in the hospital and are looking forward to taking her home, where she can practice writing again," said Kavita More, her mother.
The SNDT College student lost both her arms on January 11, when she was trying to board a train in Ghatkopar station.
mid-day had reported yesterday how in her very fourth practice session with the prosthetic arms, the teenager struggled for 10 minutes but succeeded in writing her first name ('Gritty Monika can write again,' May 22).
Also read: Mumbai train accident victim to get prosthetic arms that let her write, type
Yesterday, with some encouragement, the 16-year-old was able to write more than just one word. Not only did she write her full name this time, but also persevered to scribble the names of her loved ones, including that of her cousin.
Also read: CR begins bridging the gap at Ghatkopar's platform 2
Speaking to mid-day, Jemin Chauhan, the centre head of Otto Bock, said, "Writing is one of the more complex activities, which we were planning for her to start after a few more sessions. However, she is able to write bigger alphabets already. Our focus will now be to teach her how to write smaller ones."
Also read: Life goes on, say railway accident victims
With Monika's FY Commerce exams coming up in June, the family plans on asking for the help of a writer.
As of now, she is practicing the use of the prosthetic arms with the help of wooden blocks, which she has to lift, before placing back in the moulds.
"There is one area that is still sore due to grafting, where I am experiencing some pain. But I hope that after a few more sessions, it will subside," said Monika.
