826 Words Essay on my Friend Ashish – A Polio Patient

Have a very-very dear friend whose name is Ashish. He is as old as me, but studying in a different school. He lives in my neighbourhood and I have been friends with him for the last three years.

The first time his family turned into my neighbourhood three years back, I was shocked to see the child suffering. Besides his suffering, I was shocked because I had never seen such misery before, and had never imagined that such misery also exists. The sight of the child shocked me so much that a torrent of tears flew through my eyes.

The pain I saw in him could not be borne by me and I wondered how that little boy could bear it all, and that also with smiles. When I was shocked beyond my wits at the sight of Ashish, my mother consoled me and explained to me that, the boy had been struck by the Polio virus, and that he would remain so handicapped all his life, as there is no cure for this.

At that time my mother told me how, every child should be vaccinated against this virus, when he/she is very young between the years of one to five. She told me that, if this vaccination is done in time, the virus cannot attack the child. My mother told me that, there are a number of such deadly diseases against which vaccination is a must, or else there is danger for the child.

I then understood it all but, wondered how that child of seven or eight years would spend his entire life span on the wheelchair with this handicap. I decided to become a friend to this handicapped child whom all others of my age shunned and made fun of.

Thinking of his life long misery, I decided to befriend Ashish, and with this view in mind started getting closer to him. When I was closer to him I came to know more and more about the child. He is studying in the same class as me, but in a different school, which is meant to cater to such handicapped children.

I help him in his studies and of course so does he help me in memorising lessons. I now realise that, Ashish has a very good brain, as, and his grasp of all subjects is good and very quick. Sometimes I feel that he understands things faster than me, and that makes me feel very happy. He is unable to use his limbs though his brain is very good.

For his exams he is given a writer, and he spells out answers to questions and the writer writes them for him. All this makes me feel so depressed that I at times wonder why God had to punish such a good child like this.

The two of us have become very friendly now, and are very close to each other for the last three years. Ashish now tells me that he feels doubly handicapped in my absence, or when I do not meet him or do not help him. This expression of his makes my heart come to my mouth and I feel the urge of never – yes never leaving Ashish.

Now the closeness has become so intense that we discuss all problems facing either of us, our families, our society and our country. At this juncture, I dare say that this boy has a very clear understanding of all kinds of problems hitting us at all times. We do our homework together, play indoor games together.

However, my depression knows no bounds when the boys play games like football and cricket as I see him. I can feel that he is crying within himself as, he is unable to enjoy these games. I also feel very-very sad when I spot the crying of his heart and now, for his sake, I have decided to leave playing any of these games, as he often bemoans his inability to play these outdoor games. I have become very dear and close to Ashish, and have decided to help him through life as far as I can.

I often wonder now, how God punishes some people so severely that, for life they are unable to enjoy anything. They just live because, they have to and they cannot help it. The pangs of my heart can almost be heard when I sit and ponder in lonely moments about the future in store for my dear friend Ashish.

Though my mother tells me that, these days such handicapped children are also helped by the Government and social welfare agencies to enter the mainstream of growth. When I see his disability I do wonder how he will be able to face the pangs, hardships and onslaughts of life ahead. My friend Ashish is a wonderful boy and I pray for his welfare, and I have promised that, I will help him as long as I can.