Mohammed recently turned two years old and has Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), a rare congenital condition that is characterised by stiff joints and muscle weakness. Mohammed’s maternal grandmother lived through the 1984 Union Carbide Bhopal gas disaster. At birth it was clear that Mohammed had muscle contracture in his legs and arms, and by the time he’d reached sixth months he was still unable to hold his neck straight, having trouble sitting, could not stand, and had significant muscle weakness in his limbs. Concerned, his mother started bringing him to the Chingari clinic for treatment, while his father earns the family’s living as a tailor.
Since beginning physiotherapy, Mohammed has strengthened his neck muscles and his now able to hold his head straight. He has undergone surgery to correct the contracture in his limbs, and after recovery has improved muscle strength and flexibility enough that he can now sit comfortably and stand unaided. He has recently begun walking and can manage up to two minutes at a time. Mohammed started speech therapy in November last year and has made good initial progress with controlling his tongue, jaw, and lip movement so he can start to achieve speech. He recently succeeded in speaking his first word, ‘papa’.
Mohammed enjoys spending time with family, particularly with his father when he comes home from work, and playing with his cousin sister. He likes watching cartoons on TV. His favourite food is papadums and he asks for them often with his lunch at the clinic.
