Blind From An Acid Attack, This 29-Year-Old Needs Surgery To Relieve Her Pain

In December 2014, when she was just 18, a 30-year-old man threw acid at Reshma for refusing his marriage proposal. The attack burnt her hands, legs, neck, face and stomach. Today, she is 29, still living in pain that most can’t even fathom. 

“That acid attack from 10 years ago is not my ‘past’. Because it continues to make life unbearable for me. I still can’t see. I still can’t sleep. I still live with only one eye that I can never shut. People still look away when they see me. 10 years, and 33 surgeries later, I’m still in need of urgent eye surgery but we have no money left…” – Reshma Khatun

She is now at the risk of losing even the 6% vision she is left with

Despite 33 surgeries over the decade, Reshma’s nightmares continue. She lost one eye completely, and after 9 surgeries in her other eye, she is now left with just 6% vision. That eye, made from skin grafted from her cheek, stays open permanently, causing her severe discomfort. Over the past few weeks, her eye’s condition has worsened with endless watering and immense pain. Only surgery can end her suffering, but Reshma cannot afford it.

“Back then, we sold our house, and everything in it. That’s the only way my single mother could afford my treatment. When I met my loving husband 4 years after the attack, I thought life would become better. But with my medical expenses, I feel I have made life miserable for my husband and son, too…” – Reshma Khatun

With a monthly income of 12,000, a surgery, worth 5 lakhs, is out of reach

Without her eyesight, Reshma is unable to go to work or be of much help at home. Her husband does the chores, sends their 4-year-old to school, cooks for the family, and takes care of them. Given his schedule, he is unable to commit to a permanent job. In the few hours that he has left, he works as a Rapido driver and brings home Rs. 500 a day when luck is on his side. On other days, barely Rs.300. Now, she needs urgent surgery that will cost 5 lakhs.

“Her medicines alone cost Rs. 5,000 a month. We have our son’s school fees to pay. There have been times when she refused to buy medicines, just so we could pay our son’s fees. But no matter what we do, it feels like she is forced to stay stuck in December 2014…How can we afford another surgery, when we struggle to afford three square meals a day?” – Ashok Kumar, husband.

For the past 10 years, Reshma has just been surviving. A little help from you can be her chance for a life beyond mere survival.