Giving her mother a handshake, Monika says ‘my childhood has returned’

“I have to learn to exert just the right pressure when I hold objects. Initially I felt a lot of pain when they were putting the artificial limb, but now I am slowly getting used to it,” she said while attempting to lift a plastic bottle, instead crushing it by accidentally exerting extra pressure.

Jemin Chauhan, manager at a Chembur-based Otto Bock centre that Monika visits for daily practice sessions, said, “We have designed a prosthetic limb for her that will fit her for next five years.” He added that Monika’s right stump is shorter than her left stump due to which she is currently having problems in using it smoothly even though she is a right-hander.

“We are making her practice with both hands. As the left hand’s stump is longer, we are expecting that she will be able to use her left hand more,” Chauhan said.

Dr Pradeep Bhosale, head of orthopaedic department at KEM hospital where Monika has been recuperating and undergoing physiotherapy, said, “She will start wearing her prosthesis permanently in a week. Soon after that, she will be discharged from the hospital.”

Monika’s mother Kavita More said Monika was introduced to another amputee who now drives his bike despite having an artificial leg. “We encourage her to slowly practice every movement. She felt that the myoelectric limb was heavy initially, but now she is managing to wear it for some time,” Kavita said.

According to Chauhan, Monika will be able to travel using public transport. However an apprehensive Monika said, “I am never going in a local train again.”

Monika’s advanced myoelectric limb, which can also facilitate wrist twisting, requires sensory impulses in muscles which convert into electronic impulse and help in executing the desired movement. However, as it is  heavy, she will be given another pair of cosmetic limbs that are much lighter in weight.

Chauhan said, “She can use the cosmetic limb at home and during night since it is half the weight of myoelectric limbs.”
mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com