CHENNAI: Sometimes a writer finds the perfect story that’s inspired by the family. Padmaja Vasudev launched her book Kauchi – The Legacy of Kausalya recently which holds a true story with no exaggeration or fictional elements. The story is about her sister with muscular dystrophy and a mother’s undying spirit.
Twelve years in the making, Padmaja talks to us about her family, the trigger that got her to pen down their story and the awareness she is trying to create for her readers. It all started when 8-year-old Kausalya began to fall even while walking on a smooth surface. Being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy that had no cure, no preventive measures and research at that time in 1967, it was a big blow.
“Though my little sister did not understand the gravity of the situation at that age, my mom was shocked. She cried initially like any mother would but after that one break down, it was only her determination to be there for her daughter — all day, all night.”
While Kausalya was adjusting with her weakened muscles and discomfort, she didn’t let it get to her. She would always have solutions for people with other problems and there was no room for anyone to feel pity. The sisters share a strong bond. They talk for hours, read things to each other, sing together too. Padmaja reckons her positive attitude was induced in her because of her mother’s positivity about the entire situation.
As much as the patient is affected by any condition that he or she suffers from, the caregivers also go through stress, denial and frustration. “Once, when my mother was hospitalised, I happened to chance upon an article on Caretaker Syndrome.
After I read it, I was amazed to find out that my mom did not have it. It talked about how the caregiver gets depressed, needs rest and change of duty. My mom who has been taking care of Kausalya for years always had a smile and never complained. She told me that god has blessed her with Kausalya. I know mothers who can get frustrated and depressed after a point of time, but not my mother.”
She thought about her sister’s carefree, positive attitude, her mother’s unconditional devotion and her brother and his wife’s constant support. This was her trigger to write the story. “I was an ordinary person surrounded my extraordinary people. I had to write and inspire other caregivers and patients.”
Her mother and Kausalya did read the first part of her book but were not alive to see it completed and printed. She narrated another chilling incident. In 2008, at the age of 52, Kausalya was under the support of oxygen as her lungs weakened. She was worried and scared about death. Padmaja read her a piece from Socrates that talked about how death was a window to the soul to embark upon a new journey. “She was satisfied.
One night, she woke up with a sudden appetite. She ate curd rice, sambhar, some sugar and water and then said ‘I’ve had everything. I am going to sleep’. She passed away 15 minutes later. When my mother heard, she went to the next room and lay down. She was quiet and when I asked her if she knew what had happened, she said she did. And then she went into coma. Twelve days later, she passed away.” Padmaja knew the story would resound with many and inspire persons with disabilities and conditions and also caregivers. Eight years later, after sudden jolts of inspirations in the middle of nights, the book is finally out.
Padmaja wants her readers to know, “The books will let you see the truth and the importance of acceptance. At the basic level, it’s all about being positive. Accepting and embracing hurdles that are thrown in your path. It can bring about a lot of positive change.”
(For details about the book priced at `150, call publishing house Thanga Thamarai Pathippagam, 24414441)