Dystonia patient on road to recovery wants a girlfriend

Surgery gives new lease of life to Antonio D'souza who was afflicted with dystonia, a neurological disorder, for 10 years

Antonio D'souza (28) has lived the last 18 years of his life under the shadow of dystonia, a neurological disorder, which manifests in symptoms like sudden involuntary twisting of the body, repetitive movements, and assumption of abnormal postures. To the delight of Antonio's family, by Christmas, it became clear that he had markedly healed.



"He could speak clearly again. It was just the Christmas miracle our family needed," said Pearl (32), Antonio's sister. His father had succumbed to cancer in June, last year. It took neurosurgeon Dr Milind Sankhe at Hinduja Hospital 14 hours to implant a stimulator in his chest to control the convulsions.

Three weeks later, on December 24, Tony was discharged. "In 2009, after I learn to ride a bike, I will take my mother for a ride. I also want to have a girlfriend. Earlier, no one would have wanted to be with me. I think I stand a chance now," said Tony, who works in Pune for a shipping company.

Tony had shown first signs of dystonia at the age of 10, when his handwriting became distorted and his strideu00a0 ungainly. Two months ago, his speech worsened and his neck contorted in an odd position.

SRK fan celebrates with DDLJ
Irene Chettiar (18) was operated for dystonia in 2006. Now, after six years of being supine, she is finally able to sit up on her own and watch her beloved Shah Rukh Khan on screen. "Before this she couldn't even eat a chapatti by herself," said Margaret, Irene's mother. The Goregaon resident says she has lost count of the times Irene has watched Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and DDLJ.