Sabitha Monis: Taking handicap as a challenge
An inspiring story of a IInd PUC girl, who has developed the skill of writing with her feet

By Raymond D`Cunha, Taccode

July 6, 2003

Sabitha Monis, aged 17 years, daughter of  Basil & Benedicta Monis of Belthangady taluk of D.K. district, has secured 488 marks out of 600  in her II PUC Arts (12th Std.), thus securing a brilliant percentage of 81% distinction.

All along she has had a remarkable academic record.  She had scored 82% in the 7th standard  & 71% in the 10th Std.  This is a milestone in her life because Sabitha is extraordinarily special. 

As she has been deprived of hands since birth, she has written these examinations using her feet!  Her parents, who are uneducated, are extremely proud of their daughter & overjoyed with the success of their daughter who in spite of her handicap has proved her worth.  Her father Basil Monis (54 years) & mother Benedicta Monis (49 years) reside in the remote town of Hankarjal in the Gardady Village, with their substistence supported by only an acre of land.  The paddy crop raised therein helps them to lead a simple agriculturist's life & maintain a hand-to-mouth existence.

Sabitha's story is really a wondeful saga in individual effort.  When she was born without either hands down the shoulder, the parents were very sad & forlorn as to what fate would lie ahead for her.  The parents had to assist her in all her daily personal needs but little did they realize that God would some day reward them for all their sacrifice & patience with this extraordinary news.  Sabitha's name & fame have spread all over the village & she is indeed the talk of the town now.  Her disability has not dampened her spirits & she, with exemplary courage, attempts to do her own work by herself.  She can even lift the phone & dial it with the help of only her feet.

She travels alone from Gardady to Moodbidri to attend college.  Chairman of Alva's Education Foundation Dr. Mohan Alva has been exteremely generous in offering her free education.  Apart from this, she has also been honoured by the SBI of Belthangady with a donation of IRs. 5,000/- in recognition of her performace in the 7th std.

The Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh (R) donated IRs. 50,000/-  & former Karnataka Governor V.S. Ramadevi honoured her in Bangalore with a cash award of IRs. 10,000/-.  The Madyanthar Co-op Bank has also donated IRs. 10,000/-.  Basil, who only studied upto the 3rd standard, is struggling to feed the family with his meagre income.  Even though they are trying to stand on their own feet, they need help & support from well-wishers & benefactors.  Those coming forward to help this needy family in ensuring a secure future, by finding permanent jobs for the daughter who is a nurse, a mechanic's job for the son & also a long-sustaining fund for Sabitha's brighter future, will surely be abundantly blessed.

You may contact Sabitha Monis on Phone No. +91-8256-318 310 or send in your generous contribution to her A/c No. 30/94/76 with STATE BANK OF INDIA, Belthangady Branch.