Jayesh’s Story

At just 20, Jayesh from Dahel in Nandurbar has already been living with a progressive disability for years. For too long, unclear diagnoses meant he couldn’t get a disability certificate, leaving him locked out of welfare schemes.

Our team at Karuna Evam Shanti Vahini Foundation (KeSVF) stood by him, helping with documents, mobility aids, physiotherapy and repeated home visits. The breakthrough came when we referred his case to Dr. Mittali Sethi, Collector Nandurbar and the DHO team. They ensured that the health team tracked him and conducted a solubility test for sickle cell anemia, adding another important piece to his health profile.

With their support, Jayesh was finally assessed at Civil Hospital, Nandurbar, where doctors diagnosed him with chronic progressive upper motor neuron (UMN) paraparesis and certified him with 75% permanent disability. This formal certification is what unlocks his access to welfare entitlements.

Getting him to the hospital, however, was not easy. Because of the rains and the already difficult terrain, villagers first helped him reach a motorable road, from where we could take him by SUV. We are sharing a short video of Jayesh making his way to the road, supported by villagers as rain fell over already difficult terrain. It offers a glimpse into the everyday reality of our communities in hard-to-reach tracts of Nandurbar, where even reaching a hospital becomes a test of courage and resilience.

For Jayesh, this certificate is more than paperwork. It is recognition of his struggle and a key that unlocks dignity and rightful welfare entitlements. Our KeSVF team, will now continue working to ensure Jayesh receives his benefits under Maharashtra’s disability welfare scheme.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Mittali Sethi, and the team from the DHO office, Abhinav, Sameer, Vasant, Rahul, and everyone who helped make this possible. Special thanks to the Mariwala Health Initiative, for their continuing invaluable support and encouragement.