Euthanasia petitioner Embraces Life

Two years back, Seema Sood wished death and had even petitioned the Presidents to allow her euthanasia. But hope triumphed over despair and today, walking nonetheless after a knee replacement surgery, the Bits Pilani gold medalist is ready for life once again.

The turnaround has been both spectacular and miraculous for the 37 year old, who could not move her limbs for 15 harrowing years after a crippling attack of rheumatoid arthritis.

“I regret the letter to the president,” she says. “Everything was so dark for me earlier, but I am excited about my mobility now and I am confident I will improve.

Walking for the first time after 1993 Seema, a resident of Palampur, has another regret: that she spent the most productive years of her life in bed when her twin masters degree in Engineering and IT could have taken her place. When she won the gold medal, she had already been attacked by the disease and was on steroids.

The Himachal govt. and the Bits alumni have come forward. Seema has been granted funds for joint replacement surgeries on her knees, hips, elbows and shoulders.