Prez praises euthanasia seeker for ''regaining courage''

Mohali, Aug 11 (UNI) President Pratibha Patil has commended 37-year-old Seema Sood, a bed-ridden gold medalist from BITS Pilani, who had once pleaded for euthanasia, for regaining ''courage and will power to help others in similar situations.'' Seema Sood, who had been bed-ridden for about 15 years with Rheumatoid Arthritis, having given up all hopes of ever being able to live a quality life, had approached the President for granting permission for euthanasia (mercy killing) sometime back.

However, after a successful Total Knee Replacement Surgery at Fortis Hospital, Mohali conducted by eminent Joint Replacement Surgeon Dr. Manuj Wadhwa, Seema has now regained her lost confidence, and was ready to face all the odds to rebuild her life.

The President wrote to Seema, "I am delighted to know that after a long period of fifteen years you have triumphed over the despair of rheumatoid arthritis and are showing encouraging signs of recovery.

With this resilience and spirit I am sure that the day isn't far when you will be able to walk again and come to meet me at Rashtrapati Bhavan.'' An emotional Seema said, "I am moved and grateful that the President wrote to me. There are so many people like me, yet she has shown such concern towards me. I do hope I can walk into Rashtrapati Bhavan and meet her." Emanating a positive energy, Seema is now going all out to spread the message 'Never Give Up' to people in similar situations and advises them to always maintain a positive attitude.

Dr Manuj Wadhwa of Fortis Hospital, Mohali, too expressed his happiness at the success achieved in this 'very challenging and rare case.' UNI JN BP1915