Sunday, April 24 2022, morning’s sunshine was blended with a ray of hope, that showered on Mumbai streets; as Monika More, Mumbai’s first-hand transplant recipient and Prathamesh Tawade, India’s first successful partial hand transplant recipient joined hands to hit a wicket over a friendly cricket match.
These new players to the team of fighters who had overcome unimaginable struggles exemplify not only strength but also a passion for life, becoming more than an inspiration to Mumbaikars who witnessed this spectacle.
Mumbai Police personnel also joined them to honour and celebrate their bravery by playing cricket with them. More lost both her hands in the Ghatkopar 2014 train accident when she was just 23 years old. Whereas Tawade met with an accident where he lost his left hand along with 3 fingers of his right hand.
This brave girl lived without hands for almost 6 years before she finally underwent a successful bilateral hand transplant in August 2020, and Tawade underwent the first partial hand transplant in February 2022 at the Global Hospital in Parel, Mumbai.
Dr Nilesh Satbhai, Head of the Department & Senior Consultant - Plastic, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery & Transplant Surgery at Global Hospital, Parel, performed both transplants. Dr Nilesh Satbhai was also present to cheer and encourage both his patients and felt an ocean of emotions as after performing the long-drawn treatment, he was seeing his patients playing cricket.
More said, "After my accident, I felt my life is over, forget about cricket, I was absolutely devastated. But my family supported me, encouraged me, so again I collected broken pieces of my heart and look here I'm today playing cricket with you all. But, more than cricket, I believe it is important for me to come out and inspire others to never lose hope in life, as this is what keeps me going when I am at my lowest."
Tawade added, “I have always loved playing cricket and I used to play a lot in childhood, but I never thought when I lost my hand that I’ll be able to play cricket again, but thanks to the evolution of medical science I`m able to do things which make me happy and it was a surreal experience to be amongst so many creative people at Sunday streets”.
Dr Nilesh Satbhai elaborated, “It was a very emotional and happy moment for me to see my two brave patients come out and motivate others by showcasing their skills and strength”.
Sunday street is an initiative by Mumbai Police to encourage Mumbaikars to step out of their homes to relax and engage in fun, sporting, and wellness activities on the streets.
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