Delhi High Court Gives 16-Year-Old Foot Artist New Lease of Life With a Prosthetic Arm!

16-year-old Ritik may have had a difficult childhood coping with congenital limb deficiency, but the Class X student’s world is never devoid of colours.

The young foot artist, who first started sketching and painting after his parents first gifted him a set of crayons ten years ago, is all set for a new beginning, thanks to the Delhi High Court.

The Delhi High Court is helping the young student seize another chance at a better life by gifting him a prosthetic arm.

Ritik’s mother, 40-year-old Usha, a sweet shop owner in Sadar Bazaar recalls the relentless battle they fought while seeking treatment for Ritik right from the tender age of two since he had abnormally developed limbs from birth.

“When he was just two, I knocked on the door of AIIMS. They said there is no treatment. I went to at least five different government hospitals, and everyone referred us back to AIIMS. For more than a decade, not a single government hospital wanted to fix a prosthetic limb,” she told the Indian Express.

When all doors closed, she decided to knock the doors of the High court.

This fight came to the forefront after the Court acted in favour of a public interest litigation filed by advocate Ashok Aggarwal seeking Rs 13 lakh for a prosthetic limb for the student. It issued notices to the Delhi government and the Ministry of Social Justice.

“We did not know what the exact treatment is, or the cost. After consulting with various government hospitals, LNJP said that a prosthetic limb with machinery is needed,” advocate Agarwal told the publication.

The lawyer argued before court stating that inline with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016; it is the government’s duty to provide assistive devices to students with benchmark disabilities under 18, free of cost.

Their case became stronger when the Medical director of Lok Nayak Hospital quickly responded to the court’s notice with a confirmation report stating Ritik suffers from a severe disability.

He became the bearer of good news as he stated that the funds for the prosthetic limb would be organised through Delhi Arogya Kosh to help Ritik.

Read more: Despite Droughts, This Maharashtra Farmer Is Earning Lakhs From 1 Acre!

November 1 marked the day of victory for the mother-son duo when the Chief Justice Bench of the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi government to provide a prosthetic limb to the differently abled kid within the span of two months.

The government school student is now gearing up for his first round of tests pre-surgery. Overwhelmed by the gift, he says, “I had problems holding books. Painting and sketching is my passion, a source of strength. I dream of becoming an artist one day. This gift takes me one step closer to achieving my dream.”

Feature Image Credit: The Indian Express

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