13 August,2014 08:45 AM IST | | Sundari Iyer
Following a train accident a decade ago, Mohsin Shaikh recently underwent a rehabilitation programme till May 11 but, due to lack of funds, further treatment could not be carried out
Mohsin Shaikh's mother Mehrunissa (on the floor) and father Hussain try to help him stand at their residence in Ulhasnagar on Monday. Pic/Sameer Markande
On May 28, 2004, when Ulhasnagar-based fast bowler Mohsin Shaikh left Dombivli from the Mumbai Cricket Association U-15 camp, little did he know that he would never bowl again. While returning home, Mohsin, now 23, fell off the train before Vitthalwadi station and suffered a head injury.
Mohsin Shaikh's mother Mehrunissa (on the floor) and father Hussain try to help him stand at their residence in Ulhasnagar on Monday. Pic/Sameer Markande
The youngster cannot speak, move without support or perform any daily tasks on his own after the accident. After reading about his plight (published in mid-day on February 28), help poured in.
The donors got in touch with Mohsin's family and got him admitted to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri in March. He underwent a rehabilitation programme till May 11. But, due to lack of funds, further treatment could not be carried out.
Condition deteriorating
Mohsin's mother Mehrunissa (56) explained how the condition of her husband Hussain (58) has deteriorated since the treatment started. "My husband and me used to do small packaging work at our residence.
But since Mohsin was shifted to the Andheri hospital, we had to be by his side and had to stop working. The physiotherapy sessions have given Mohsin a better body balance. He is able to walk a few steps with some help," she said.
His father Hussain said that despite poor financial condition, all they pray for is Mohsin's recovery. "For us, Mohsin's treatment is the priority. We were under immense pressure when we ran out of funds to pay the hospital bills. That is when we decided to get Mohsin home. He has improved a lot, but without money we cannot carry on further treatment," he said.
Lending support
Even as the family struggles to make a living, it is coach Mobin Shaikh who is trying his best to get the family much-needed help. With doctors advising Mohsin a long-term treatment that could cost up to Rs 30 lakhs, Mobin is aware that he cannot help the cause single-handedly.
Mohsin during a physiotherapy session earlier this year
"Mohsin has shown a lot of improvement since he was treated at Ambani Hospital. It is my dream to see him stand on his feet. I would say we who belong to Mumbai's cricketing fraternity should facilitate his cure. We need a larger sum to ensure he gets the needed treatment. For that, the MCA and the cricketers need to come forward. We can have a charity cricket match to gather funds for him." Mobin stressed: "As a coach, it is my duty that he stands on his feet."
Meanwhile, Dr Abhishek Srivastava, Director for the Center of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the Ambani Hospital, who treated Mohsin, said: "I have not seen Mohsin for almost three months. He needs to come for a check-up so that I can analyse him and see the progress. Only then can I suggest further treatment. It's been 10 years since he met with an accident so we cannot expect immediate results."
