What was once a moment of immense joy for a family has gradually turned into a life marked by hardship, helplessness, and emotional suffering for a family in Odisha’s Bhadrak. 

A couple, after years of prayers and devotion, was blessed with their first child – a son whose birth brought happiness and celebration to the entire family. The father distributed sweets in the neighbourhood, while the mother embraced motherhood with tears of joy and gratitude.

However, the family’s happiness was short-lived. Over the past 22 years, their son has been battling a severe health condition that has left him physically disabled and dependent on his parents for daily care. As he continues to suffer, his parents silently endure the pain of watching their child struggle every day.

The heartbreaking story comes from Kandiasahi under Madhapur Panchayat in Chandbali block of Bhadrak district in Odisha. Jitendra Sethi, the 22-year-old son of Bailochan Sethi, developed serious health complications when he was just eight to nine months old. According to family members, his condition suddenly deteriorated during infancy, forcing his parents to seek medical treatment at different hospitals.

For nearly a decade, the family travelled from one hospital to another and spent whatever little they had in hopes of curing him. Despite years of treatment and sacrifice, there was no significant improvement in his health.

Today, Jitendra is unable to stand on his own due to severe physical deformities affecting his arms and legs. His father supports him while walking, and his mother continues to feed and care for him.

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The emotional burden on the parents has only grown with time. Like any mother, she had dreamt of watching her son run into her arms and live a normal life. Instead, she now spends her days caring for him while carrying the pain of his prolonged suffering.

Adding to the family’s misery is their poor financial condition. Bailochan works as a daily wage labourer and has no permanent source of income or agricultural land. Due to extreme financial hardship, the family was eventually forced to discontinue Jitendra’s treatment.

The family receives little government assistance, with Jitendra currently getting only a disability pension. Their difficulties have worsened further as his name is yet to be included in the ration card. Family members said he could not obtain an Aadhaar card because his fingerprints cannot be recorded, leaving him unable to access several welfare benefits.

If you would like to extend any support, please note down his details:

Address:

Name: Jitendra Sethi
Father’s Name: Bailochan Sethi
Village: Kandiasahi
Panchayat: Madhapur
District: Bhadrak
Mobile Number: 7008900493
Account Number: 31856484055
IFSC Code: SBIN0002039