Source: Hindustan Times
Actor spends R2.5 lakh to book a flat for a quadriplegic patient near her clinic in city sponsors her treatment
While preparing for his role as a paraplegic in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish (2010), Hrithik Roshan spent a lot of time understanding and interacting with patients who suffer from the condition. Which is why, when city-based physical rehabilitation therapist Dr Indu Tandon (who trained Hrithik for the film) told the actor about the situation a quadriplegic patient of hers was facing, he immediately came to the rescue.
“Rafat Siddiqui (25) met with an accident around 2009, after which she was diagnosed with quadriplegia. Since her treatment is very expensive, she asked me if she could get help from some sources. That’s when I thought of contacting Hrithik,” says Dr Tandon, adding, “The moment I told him about Rafat, he immediately offered to help.”
One of Rafat’s biggest challenges is the fact that she lives in Andheri East. Every week, she has to be brought down two floors, lifted into a taxi and then brought to Oshiwara in Andheri to the clinic.
“I understood that if she lived near my centre, the process would be a lot more convenient for her,” says Dr Tandon. That’s when Hrithik decided to step in. The actor has now arranged an apartment for Rafat near the hospital. He spent roughly R2.5 lakh for the rent and brokerage. “He’s also asked me to continue her physiotherapy sessions, as he will take care of those expenses too,” says the doctor.