I, Anirudh Krishnan, am studying in Good Shepherd International School, Ooty. In Sep 2014, when I was 11yrs old (7th grade), my world came crashing down. I had a numbing pain in my legs and couldn’t walk! My movements were restricted and I had to be taken back home for treatment. The journey from Ooty to Coimbatore and the flight to Hyderabad were agonizing. I was in grief and kept weeping in pain. Over the next 10 days, after many rounds of hospitals, MRI’s, scan’s and a whole lot of other tests; we were informed that I had SCFE (Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis).

I was admitted to Udai Omni Hospital and Dr. Udai Prakash carried out further tests. He advised that SCFE was a fracture through the growth plate which was causing me pain whenever I walked or ran. He patiently educated that the remedy is to insert 2 screws (one on each hip) to fix the femur and the growth plate. I was so frightened and started weeping. I was operated on 11 Sep 2014 and Dr. Udai Prakash and his team coached me on physiotherapy and how to deal with my pain.

I came back home on a stretcher and was bedridden for nearly 3 months. Physiotherapy and watching TV became my only hobbies. I used to spend so many sleepless nights dreaming that I will never be able to walk normally again. Gradually my strength came back and my legs got stronger. I was able to walk baby steps with the aid of crutches. Meanwhile, I had missed a whole School term. I returned back to School in 2ndterm but couldn’t participate in any activities for another 3 months.

I was re-operated in Dec 16 to remove the screws. Over the past 3 years, I have got back to normal, and even won a few medals in sports for swimming and running. Ironically, I had never won a medal when my legs were normal and the journey has only made me stronger.

I even gave a talk to my friends about how to overcome pain and continue to work hard. These days, I motivate everyone that if I can overcome so many problems despite having screws in my legs, they should strive to achieve much better and not cry over small failures.

I am grateful to Dr. Udai Prakash for his constant care and encouragement. Dr. Udai Prakash has been so supportive through the past 3 years and I trust him a lot. I am happy to be normal again and enjoy water sports and all other sporting activities.