Khagisara lost her parents when she was just two. Brought up by her siblings in a remote village in Dailekh district, she was forced to marry aged 13. Her husband qualified to become a school teacher, but his income was not enough to pay their bills so they migrated to India in search of a better life.

However, Khagisara fell from a tree while working and damaged her spine. She was operated on in India and then returned home to Nepal, bedridden and fully dependent on her family.

Although her husband was supportive, she felt full of despair and wanted to die. So, when she was referred to INF Surkhet’s rehabilitation team at Shining Hospital, counselling and health education were key components of the holistic care the team provided.

Reinvigorated by the dream of being independent, Khagisara put all her energy into the therapeutic exercises. She gradually felt some sensation return below her injury level and she was able to sit on the edge of her bed and do activities by herself. She was so happy because she’d thought she would never go outside and see sunrise or sunset again.

INF Surkhet’s community-based team also helped to modify her home so her rooms and toilet were wheelchair-friendly. Now she can stand again with the support of her walker and her family have a reliable income thanks to financial support and training in goat-keeping funded by INF supporters.