When Junaa was born with cerebral palsy in rural Surkhet, her family turned their backs on her. Only her mother refused to give up.

Junaa was born prematurely in a remote area of Surkhet district, where reaching the nearest health centre means a long journey by foot or vehicle through hilly terrain. She did not cry immediately after birth, and the lack of oxygen in those first moments led to cerebral palsy — affecting her movement, her speech, and her ability to grow and learn like other children her age. By four years old, she still could not hold her head up or sit on her own.

Her father and grandparents refused to accept her disability and withdrew. Under pressure to abandon Junaa and have another child, her mother refused. The family grew hostile — shouting and mistreatment became normal life. When Junaa fell ill, which happened often, her father would not give money for treatment. Her mother had no income of her own, and the family’s traditions prevented her from earning one. Junaa needed around 5,000 rupees of medicine every month, and was going without.

A referral torn in two

During a disability screening run by INF’s Access and Inclusion Project, health workers assessed Junaa and referred her to INF’s Shining Hospital in Surkhet. Her mother brought the paper home and asked her husband to take them. He tore it up and told her Junaa would never improve.

Eventually, her mother made the hardest decision of her life: she left, and started over alone with Junaa. Living on Junaa’s disability allowance, she finally found the space to seek help. She visited the INF project’s community facilitator, shared her daughter’s situation, and was referred to Shining Hospital — this time, no one stood in the way.

Progress that surprised everyone

At the hospital’s paediatric ward, therapists, nurses, doctors, and the project team all worked together around Junaa. Within a month, the change was visible. She began holding her head steady and sitting independently in a swing. The oral infections that had plagued her cleared. She started communicating non-verbally and joining group activities without crying. The sounds and lights that had terrified her no longer did. During her entire stay, she did not fall sick once.

Her mother received training too — how to carry out daily exercises, support oral hygiene, provide the right nutrition, and use play for development. She arrived not knowing how to help her daughter. She left knowing exactly what to do.

“Before, I didn’t know how to care for her or help her improve. But after coming here, I’ve seen changes in her in a short time. When we go home, I’ll continue the therapy and use everything I’ve learned. My biggest wish is to see her walk on her own one day.”

Junaa’s mother is now supporting other parents in her community who face similar challenges — sharing what she has learned and showing them that early therapy makes a real difference. What once felt hopeless has become a source of purpose. When she finished telling her story, her eyes were full of tears. She ended with a quiet, heartfelt: “Thank you.”

*The child’s name has been changed to protect her identity. Junaa’s story was supported by INF Nepal’s Access and Inclusion Project and the team at Shining Hospital, Surkhet.