Disabled civil engineer denied Karnataka government job

 Arvinda MS, 25, suffering with scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) and dwarfism since birth, had no difficulty passing MTech with distinction. But the young man is facing problems in landing a government job as the authorities have not only omitted his condition in a notification, but are also ignoring a June 2018 order from the state commissioner for disabilities directing the water resources department to issue him an appointment letter.

The civil engineer had moved the commissioner, questioning the exclusion of scoliosis, dwarfism and those handicapped in one leg and one hand from the disabilities entitled for reservation in a 2017 job notification issued by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) for recruitment of engineers in the water resources department.

He had written to KPSC on August 29, 2017 pointing out the omission of certain disabilities in the notification, but received no reply. The written exams for recruitment were held on September 10, 2017. He wrote to the department on September 18, stating he didn’t get a chance to apply. Again, there was no reply to his letter. “The state government denied me my rights and opportunities. That’s why I took up the case with the commissioner of disabilities,” Arvind said.

Arvind was one year old when he was diagnosed with scoliosis. Battling all odds, he cleared his BE and MTech from a reputed engineering college in Bengaluru. Categorised as 60% disabled, he is able to walk on his own and do most of his work without help. He is not wheel-chair dependent. On June 4, 2018, the commission ordered Arvind be given a job and an appointment letter be issued to him within three months of the order. “Unfortunately, the department concerned has not complied with the order so far. The next appealing authority is the high court,” said VS Basavaraju, state commissioner of disabilities

However, when TOI contacted the water resources department, a senior official said the recruitment notification was issued as per directives of the women and child welfare department. “We have written to the women and child welfare department seeking clarity on the matter, both before and after issuance of the disability commissioner’s order. We are yet to hear from the department. Ideally, a committee headed by senior officers along with the disability commissioner have to take a call in this regard and we are waiting for the same. We have not received any clarification on whether this candidate can be given a technical job,” the official said. 

Source : TOI , 26 Nov 2018  

Screws fix S-shaped spine - Bangalore

12-year-old girl, training to be a classical dancer, was suffering from Scoliosis, where the spine gets bent; doctors say surgeries in such cases should be done before puberty Rashmi, a class 6 student, was training to be a classical dancer and an active participant in extra-curricular activities. However, in May, her mother started noticing that her posture was getting to be a bit weird. The shape of her spine was becoming S-shaped and the parents were worried. “We went to all possible doctors in the city but the only option they suggested was a surgery; they did not know the reason behind this,” her mother told BM

Due to the S-shaped spine, Rashmi started to have a tilted body structure because curvature of the vertebra. Dr Murali Mohan, HoD, Sagar Hospitals, diagnosed this case to be a case of thoraco-lumbar scoliosis.

Doctors did a surgery of scoliosis correction and pedicle screws were placed. Mono screws were placed along convexity and poly screws were placed along concavity of the curvature with titanium rods. After the surgery, Rashmi’s vertebra was straightened and she is able to walk and run. “I feel like cycling now and I have asked the doctors if I can do it,” she told BM.


Dr Mohan said that scoliosis is a congenital issue in the bone, muscle or a nerve. “Sometimes, post-trauma people can suffer from a condition like this. Rashmi had adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. It is more often seen in girls in the 8-10 age bracket. There’s no specific reason why it occurred in Rashmi’s case that is why we call it an idiopathic condition,” added Dr Mohan.

He said that it was the right age to conduct a surgery and correct it. “Before she could hit puberty, we needed to do it otherwise the vertebra will start getting crooked again.”

Do not fear spine surgeries Dr Mohan says that many patients are scared of getting a surgery to get the spine fixed. “People need to be told that it’s possible to treat such conditions and correct them. There were times in 80s and 90s when the results were not that great. Now we have such good technology like microscopic and magnification mechanisms that we are able to do these surgeries within no time.”

Doctors these days use a high-speed drill to fix the structures of the bone. During these procedures, doctors need to monitor if the patient’s spine is working during these types of surgeries throughout the procedure. “We have something called intra-operative nuero monitoring wherein while operating it, the doctor keeps checking if the patient’s spine is working.

Earlier, there were times when we had to wake the patient up every now and then to see if the spine was working. We have advanced so much that we just need to see the monitor and we come to know if all is well during the operation,” says Dr Mohan.



Source : BANGALORE MIRROR , 10 DEC 2018 

The making of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray

Miss Universe (1969) Gloria Diaz said winning the Miss Universe pageant is 99 percent luck. Newly crowned Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray begs to differ and showed the world–universe, rather–that preparation is key.

Catriona Gray (Miss Universe/ Facebook)

Catriona first walked into the world of pageantry in 2016 when she competed for Miss World in Washington, D.C., USA and made it to the Top 5. This was the making of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray the biggest heartbreak for Filipino pageant fans all over the world.

I was with Catriona when we watched the preliminary and finals night of Miss Universe 2017 while vacationing in a Bohol resort. When our bet Rachel Peters did not make the final cut, Catriona’s phone started buzzing incessantly with tweets urging her to join Binibining Pilipinas so she could represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant. That time, Catriona was still mulling over whether or not she would join, but the sparkle I saw in her eyes when all the tweets came pouring

in pretty much gave me the answer. On the last day of the submission of applications to the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant, Catriona surprised fans (including me) by showing up, heeding the request of the Filipino people. It is from her countrymen that she drew her strength and found her purpose.

‘Kuya Caloy’

What a lot of people didn’t see was how much Catriona prepared for the pageant. She prepared a slideshow that outlined her everyday styling, national costume, the color, cut, and look of her long gown, and how her hair would be styled, to name a few.

She also made sure to pick her own team, causing a stir among pageant enthusiasts and observers who have become accustomed to girls belonging to a “beauty camp.” Some loved the game changer but faced criticism for it. Today, with the Mikimoto crown on her head (Catriona told me once that the Mikimoto crown was really her favorite among all the Miss Universe crowns), pageant fans everywhere applaud her for her boldness, courage, and determination to pave her own way.

The first thing people ask about is her training and how different is it from the routine of past beauty queens. One of her secret weapons is Carlos Buendia, Jr., a Bayanihan Dancer we fondly call ‘Kuya Caloy.’ With the combination of dance and a knowledge and passion for Philippine history, culture, and the arts, Kuya Caloy is the man behind Catriona’s signature turn and pose at the end, “Lava Walk”, and the dance she performed with her national costume. He is the mind and heart behind the concept of Catriona’s national costume brought to life by designer Jearson Demavivas. It was also to Kuya Caloy that Catriona cried in pain because of her scoliosis that has become her bane during past related trainings.

Standard of beauty

With her scoliosis, Catriona couldn’t really fit into what society can describe as ‘sexy’ where one would see deep curves and the evident absence of a Venus pouch that’s inherent in every woman. But she taught her critics a lesson or two about the standards of beauty and being your best self. She worked in the gym twice a day: In the morning and at night so she could fulfill her duties during the day.

There was never a moment where Catriona took her training sessions for granted, which impressed her glam team of Jelly Eugenio and Brent Sales who trained her for makeup and how to do her hair. When she goes to events, she doesn’t rely on her glam team and does her own hair and makeup so she could keep practicing.

A lot of people were surprised to find out she did her own hair and makeup for the preliminary and final show.

Leading up to the competition, Catriona gained supporters from different countries. And in a feat never witnessed in any pageant, gained a million followers on Instagram before the Finals night. Usually, candidates reach a certain number of followers after winning the Miss Universe crown. This made Catriona an early favorite.

Finally, it boils down to the question and answer portion to determine if she is worthy of the crown. The odds were against her because compared to the questions thrown to other candidates, Catriona honestly got the hardest – it is too controversial and too limiting at the same time. Say too much, you might say something you can’t take back. Say too little, it might not get you through the next round. At this point, I was praying hard that the judges realize this and hope they see Catriona as a worthy spokesperson

who could handle controversial and political questions. When she answered the question, she made her stance clear as well as rebutted one of the arguments made by groups pushing for the legalization of marijuana – in the most diplomatic way possible.

How did the stars align for Cat? When Catriona was a little girl, her mother Mita dreamt that Catriona won the Miss Universe crown in a red gown. This is why Catriona chose to wear red. Many would also bring up close-to-accurate predictions by psychics and show that the stars have indeed aligned for Catriona to be crowned. Was it luck? No. It was a fulfillment of a life purpose through determination and passion.

Catriona earned the fourth Miss Universe crown for “104 million Filipinos” she proudly declared onstage. Throughout her journey in Miss Universe, every move, every thought, and every outfit she put on represented every facet of the Philippines.

She told the story of the Philippines to the whole world and carried 104 million Filipinos on her shoulders.

Source : EntertainmentmB , 18 Dec 2018 

19-Year-Old Fighting Severe Scoliosis Has Miraculous Recovery

Doctors say his spine was 'bending by the hour' before surgery

John Sacrona has underwent 18 surgeries since he was 6 years old due to a severe form of scoliosis known as kyphoscoliosis (NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital)

A New York teen with severe scoliosis made what some have described a “miraculous” recovery, according to reports.

Two years ago, John Sarcona, who was 17 at the time, was hospitalized for life-threatening scoliosis. He said his spine was “bend[ing] by the hour.” But now, he’s learning to drive and is in his first year of college, ABC News reported on Dec. 21.

Sacrona has undergone 18 surgeries since he was 6 years old due to a severe form of scoliosis known as kyphoscoliosis, which, according to Healthline, “causes the spine to curve abnormally on the saggital plane, meaning it twists forward or backward, similar to a hunchback.” It adds that “people with kyphoscoliosis have a spine that curves both to the side and forward or backward at the same time.”

Sarcona said before his 18 or so surgeries, he was a normal boy.

“I didn’t have any restrictions, even from early signs of scoliosis, until we started to see it was more prominent,” he told ABC News, adding that he’s undergone surgeries every six months. He was also given a plastic brace to help stabilize his body during the day, but it made it hard for him to move and perform ordinary tasks like tying his shoes or running.

John Sarcona with friends at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

“It was hard for the fact that he loved sports,” his mom, Joanne Sarcona, said.

“As he was getting older, not fitting in was really starting to take a toll on him.”

Turn For the Worse

But in 2016, things took a turn for the worse after rods that were inserted into his spine when he was young began to protrude. His mother asked him one day about his shirts that had blood stains on them. Later, when she examined his back, she saw six places where rods were sticking out.

“His back was so bad that they looked like cysts on his spine,” she said.

The teen’s weight then went down to 78 pounds and his breathing declined, the report noted.

“I was shocked, confused and scared to death,” Joanne Sarcona said of the time. “I felt [like] I was dying with my son.”

She took John to NewYork-Presbyterian hospital for surgery, but doctors said there was a “99.9 percent risk that John would be paralyzed from the neck down,” the ABC report stated.

John Sarcona at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital after being put in Halo Traction

Doctors said his spine was “bending by the hour” and was shaped like the letter “C,” saying he needed emergency surgery. “Basically, he was being crushed to death,” his mom said of his condition.

“His spine was collapsing,” NewYork-Presbyterian’s Dr. Lawrence Lenke said. “His chin was heading towards his chest and his whole upper spine was collapsing onto his heart and lungs.”

CNN reported that Lenke operated on John for 13 hours. After he and his staff were finished, they were exhausted and covered in sweat. There were also unforeseen complications during the procedure.

“We test electrical activity,” Lenke said, “and in the middle of taking a vertebrate out, the spinal cord activity went away.” It meant that for about “an hour, he was technically paralyzed,” the surgeon said.

“The doctors were soaking wet in their scrubs from top to bottom,” said Joanne. “They were completely exhausted. They never stopped working, and they saved my son’s life.”

Before the operation, John said he “was collapsing on myself” due to severe scoliosis. But after, “Those first steps, leaning up against the bed, I felt like I was in a new body. It’s a pretty crazy feeling and I still remember it today. It was almost like learning how to walk again.”

A year later, he graduated high school and started attending college.

‘Faith’

“I was just praying every day for a miracle to happen, that I would be able to see my son graduate,” said Joanne. When it finally happened earlier this year, “it was a beautiful day,” she said.

“We learned in our time of challenge [to] put your faith and trust on overdrive,” she also told ABC. “You have to maintain a positive attitude in any way possible.”

John also said he was motivated to stay positive.

“I feel very motivated and accomplished to know that I have overcome so much,” John said. “I’m at a state where I feel on a level with everyone else, something I’ve never felt before.”


Source : EPOCH TIMES , 21 DEC 2018