Disha’s Journey: From Desperation to Hope

At thirty-seven, Disha’s world had all but collapsed. When WIN first encountered her, she was a shadow of herself—seriously ill and burdened by an overwhelming convergence of medical crises: leprosy, HIV, severe anaemia, and the torment of dysphagia. The latter rendered her unable to swallow even liquids without the constant fear of choking—a daily ordeal that left her weak, vulnerable, and isolated.

Her HIV, once managed with regular medication at the ART centre, had taken a grave turn. Immobilised by her illness, she could no longer make the monthly journey for antiretroviral therapy. The consequence was stark: her immune system faltered, paving the way for leprosy to take hold—a cruel marker of her body’s depleted defences.

But Disha was not suffering alone. At her side was Swati, her fourteen-year-old daughter. Swati’s education became a casualty of Disha’s declining health; she left school to become her mother’s caretaker. The pair had been living independently since the loss of Disha’s husband to AIDS a decade prior—a loss that forced Disha into the relentless grind of long hours in an incense factory, the meagre earnings stretched to keep Swati in school.

Desperation drove Disha to seek help from her own mother, hoping the proximity to the government hospital might bring some relief. Instead, they found further hardship. Disha was compelled to sleep outside, near the external bathroom, subjected to neglect and abuse at the hands of her mother. Even now, the suffering she endured in that period remains difficult for her to express.

It was WIN’s intervention that proved to be the turning point. Their support reached beyond medicine; it offered dignity and a chance to rebuild. A senior neurologist investigated Disha’s dysphagia, and treatment was initiated. She was provided with specialised, high-nutrition liquid meals tailored to her needs, setting her on a path to improved nutrition and a gradual return of her swallowing ability. Her HIV status stabilised as her body grew stronger. Leprosy treatment recommenced, and in time, Disha was declared leprosy-free.

WIN’s care extended to all aspects of survival, paying for medical expenses, rent, and electricity, and providing the stability that had been ripped from Disha’s life. Swati, too, became a beneficiary: the charity covered her tuition, books, and uniform, enabling her to rejoin her peers and recover lost ground at school.

Today, Disha’s life has changed for the better. She and Swati reside in safe, rented accommodation. Disha, her health restored, has returned to work. Swati is once again a student, free to look to the future with hope. This revival—of health, of home, of possibility—stands as a testament to WIN’s holistic support and the generosity of those who donate.

Disha’s story is not unique, but it is remarkable. It is a portrait of endurance in the face of despair, and of the profound impact that compassion and practical assistance can have. Through your donations, women like Disha are given a chance not only to survive but to reclaim their place in the world—with pride, with dignity, and with hope.