Spinal Cord Injurd Centre
A Revolutionary Centre
In 2007, Amar Seva Sangam opened its revolutionary Post-Acute Care Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Centre.” This centre provides an indispensable service to economically disadvantaged individuals who have sustained severe spinal cord injuries and are quadriplegic (paralyzed from neck down) or paraplegic (paralyzed from waist down).
Truly Exceptional Programs
Treatment Programs
On average, treatment programs take 6-12 months to complete and cost $2000 per person per year. A donation of $4000 would cover the following:
- one-on-one personal attendants, round-the-clock nursing care, and daily physician visits
- daily rehabilitation sessions delivered by trained physiotherapists and occupational therapists
- provision of all medications and wound care
- an individualized nutrition plan
Key features
- Patients are admitted from across India, prioritizing those who are economically backward.
- Many of them were sole breadwinners in the family. Now the family doesn’t have financial support.
- Over 300 individuals rehabilitated to date. An average of 20 persons flow through the system per year
- Achievements: More than 150 individuals employed, promoting equality in status and opportunities.
- 60 patients have expired due to other health complications
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services
Services Provided:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Yoga
- Psychological counseling
- Family Counseling
- Caregiver Training
- Vocational Training
- Job placement services
Duration:
- The average duration for each patient is 6 to 12 months, before getting discharged based on targets achieved.
Post discharge follow up:
- Yearly gathering with participation of over 150 service users.
- Activities include:
- Medical Camps
- Sports and Cultural Programs
- Rallies
Service Data
Vocational training along with rehabilitation
- Tailoring
- Coconut shell handicrafts
- Aari (Embroidery) work
- Computer courses (Ms office, DTP, Photoshop, Tally, web programming, ,etc)
- Mobile repair and services
- Plastic wire handicrafts
Computer Lab
Post rehabilitation engagement :
Each patient stays for 6 to 12 months, before getting discharged based on progress.
Success rate of employment – 50%
- Employed at Amar seva sangam (Research assistant, Public relation officer, Marketing executive, Admin executive,Trainee accountant)
- Auto driver- 4 (Using modified vehicles)
- Employed at government projects – 10
- Coolie workers – 6
- Departmental store – 4
- Farmer – 4
- Fruit shop – 2
- Business – 20
- Real estate broker – 4
- Sound setup services for functions – 4
- Tailor – 4
- Xerox shop – 2
- Animal farm – 4
- Social worker – 2
- Motivational speaker – 2
- Electronic repair work – 8
- Mobile service shop – 6
- Food delivery work – 6
- Tuition – 2
- Online job – 6
- 60 patients have expired due to other health complications
Success
Stories
Rajeshwaran CA
- Chief Financial Officer
Joined ASSA at the age of 17, after a car accident that left him Quadriplegic.
His will power along with the skills of the therapists, enabled him to sit in a wheelchair and learn. He completed BCom, B.S Computer Science and went on to qualify himself as a Chartered Accountant. Now he is the Chief Financial Officer at ASSA. He is married with 4 month old twin boys. He is indispensable to the organization
Sathish Bharadwaj - Research Assistant - Amar Seva sangam
Sathish Bharadwaj: A Journey of Resilience and Renewal
Greetings, everyone!My name is Sathish Bharadwaj, and I’m from Chennai. In 2017, at the age of 27, I was involved in an accident that resulted in a spinal injury, leaving me completely paralysed from the neck down. For two years, I remained at home without access to proper physiotherapy or occupational therapy. On the advice of my relatives, I decided to come to Amar Seva Sangam (ASSA) for rehabilitation.
When I arrived, I had developed severe contractures in my hands and legs and was completely bedridden. Thanks to the continuous physiotherapy and occupational therapy I received at ASSA, I began to make significant progress. I was trained to use a motorized wheelchair and a laptop, initially using only my thumb and eventually all my fingers. Today, I am fully capable of using the motorized wheelchair and working efficiently on a laptop.
I hold a degree in Statistics, which has enabled me to secure a job as a Research Assistant in Amar Seva Sangam’s Research Department. My journey from being bedridden to regaining independence and finding meaningful work has been nothing short of transformative. I am deeply thankful to Amar Seva Sangam for giving me the tools to rebuild my life.Thank you, ASSA!
Kaushik Reddy - Marketing Executive - Amar Seva sangam
Kaushik Reddy: A Story of Resilience and Transformation
In 2016, Kaushik Reddy’s life changed dramatically when a motorbike accident left him quadriplegic at the age of 32. Quadriplegia leaves the individual paralyzed below the neck. Completely bedridden with limited physical abilities, his future seemed uncertain. Just five months later, he was admitted to Amar Seva Sangam (ASSA) for intensive rehabilitation. With the help of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and counseling, Kaushik made remarkable progress standing with support within three months and walking short distances within six months.
Kaushik’s recovery extended beyond physical rehabilitation. Drawing on his background as a professional engineer, he worked on regaining his communication and social media skills. Recognizing his potential, ASSA welcomed him as a staff member in 2018.
Today, Kaushik is an indispensable member of both Amar Seva Sangam and Handi-Care Intl. He translates for Canadian students and volunteers, manages social media, and communicates with funders. Kaushik’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination, inspiring and uplifting everyone at ASSA and beyond.
Srinivaasan - Admin Assistant - Amar Seva sangam
Srinivaasan: A Story of Hope, Healing, and Empowerment
Greetings! My name is Srinivaasan, and I am from Thanjavur. In 2006, I was diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB) in my spine, which led to surgery at the age of 22 and resulted in Quadriplegia. In 2009, I learned about Amar Seva Sangam and came here for rehabilitation.
At ASSA, I received rigorous physiotherapy and occupational therapy, which helped me regain strength and mobility. Along with therapy, I was trained in writing, computer operation, and wheelchair training. These skills empowered me to live independently and pursue meaningful work.
I worked for 8 years in the MTU section of Amar Seva Sangam as a receptionist. Today, I am a full-time employee at the Spinal Cord Injured Unit, where I work as a receptionist and handle administrative tasks. Had I not come to ASSA, I would have likely remained bedridden at home. Instead, I gained the confidence to work despite being in a wheelchair. I am deeply grateful to Amar Seva Sangam for providing me with this opportunity and changing my life. Thank you, ASSA!
Deepak Lal - Public Relation Officer - Amar Seva sangam
Deepak Lal: A Journey of Healing, Resilience, and Independence
Dear friends, my name is Deepak Lal, and I am from Uttaranchal. I lost my parents and elder sister at age 25, and in 2005, I met with a tragic bike accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury. I became completely paralysed from the neck down. This injury left me unable to feel anything below my neck, requiring assistance for all my daily activities. In 2006, I came to Amar Seva Sangam. When I first arrived, my condition was critical, with large bed sores all over my body. I couldn’t sit or sleep properly, and I struggled with language barriers and adjusting to the local cuisine. However, through dedicated nursing care, physiotherapy, and vocational training, my life began to change.
Today, thanks to the support and guidance of Amar Seva Sangam, I have regained my self-respect and am living a fulfilling, independent life. I am proud to be an inspiration to others, overcoming countless struggles to lead and manage my life happily.Thank you, Amar Seva Sangam, for helping me rebuild my life.
Sathish Bharadwaj - Research Assistant - Amar Seva sangam
Sivakumar: A Journey of Perseverance and Independence
My name is Sivakumar, and I am from Krishnagiri. After completing my Master’s degree, I worked in a marketing company until I was 25, when I developed a tumor in my spinal cord. After surgery, I became paralyzed below the chest and became wheelchair-dependent. Over the next 16 years, I underwent multiple surgeries for tumors in my spinal and cervical regions, which led to further loss of function, including control of my upper limbs and fingers. For more than 16 years, my life was limited to home and hospitals. Through friends, I learned about Amar Seva Sangam and came here for rehabilitation. With physiotherapy and occupational therapy, I regained the ability to perform many daily activities independently.
I also pursued vocational training in Tally, and with support from Secretary Sir and Ram Sir, I joined the accounts section as an on-job trainee. I have now been working in the accounts section at Amar Seva Sangam for over three and a half years. Recently, I developed another tumor in my cervical region, which required surgery again. Amar Seva Sangam supported me financially for the surgery and continued physiotherapy. Thanks to this support, I am able to return to work. Since joining ASSA, I have become physically and mentally stronger, and I am grateful for the independence, confidence, and purpose I have gained. Thank you, Amar Seva Sangam!