A call from Vellore

Lata called from the Katpadi Railway station.

She was in tears.

Her sister Vishranti refused to leave the station and take the autorickshaw that would take them to Vellore.

They had travelled far.

Far from Nasik. Their train was delayed before it even left Kalyan. Then it was diverted. They had to get another train to get to Katpadi. Dr. Judy - who came to meet them at the station - was not able to wait for so long and had had to return to her home in Vellore.

Vishranti was being taken to the Christian Medical College Hospital at Vellore for her follow-up check-up for her mental illness. Compared to how she was initially - she had made so much progress. Now it was time for a six-month follow-up visit.

But would she leave the station?

Sheba talked to Vishranti on the phone. She said she was scared of being given electric shocks (which a 'mental-health' specialist in Nasik had given her prior to her Vellore trip). She was clearly tired. Sheba spoke kind words to her. And to her sister Lata who has been taking the load of looking after Vishranti. It had been a hard 2 days of travel.

We prayed. Hard.

Drs. Kenny and Judy called the CMC Hospital and asked them to make a bed ready for Vishranti. Judy came back to the station. Judy spoke to Vishranti. She agreed to leave the station.

A small victory. A huge victory.

Vishranti and Lata are back on the train headed for their home in Nasik. Dr. Prassanna and her team spent time with Vishranti. Things are so much better than before - but there is still a ways to go. Lata is so grateful for the change. Once the consultation was over, Kenny and Judy got tatkal tickets for Lata and Vishranti.

The long road of rehabilitation for mental illness is not smooth. But it is very worth walking along.

We are proud of the many people who are helping Vishranti make a new start to her life. We are grateful that some of the deep animosities in Lata's family are slowly melting. We are hopeful for Vishranti to be able to begin living with her husband and two children again.