In a report titled ‘Muscle Meltdown', published on April 11, Hindustan Times had focussed on the plight of Vishal, Vineet and many others like them who are silently suffering from the incurable disease muscular dystrophy, which progressively weakens the body's muscles. While Vishal is confined to a wheelchair, Vineet needs support to walk even a few steps.

Their parents, Rina and Rakesh, had no choice but to take Vishal - Vineet was attending another school till recently - in a taxi from their home in Walkeshwar chawl to the point where the bus from the SEC (Society for the Education of the Crippled) School picked him up. The costs were too high as Rakesh could bring home a measly income by ironing clothes. The brothers would have had to drop out of school.

But a terrific response followed the report. Many readers shared stories of relatives suffering from muscular dystrophy, others condemned the lack of governmental or social support. A lot of them offered to financially assist the family .

Thousands have been collected and forwarded to the school.

Priyamvada Shastri, a social worker with SEC School, said the money would cover transport costs for a few months. "The boys are able to come to school now," she said.

Bharati Chabbria, coordinator of the Muscular Dystrophy Society , blamed a lack of awareness. "People don't know about the disease so we receive very few donations," she said.

Back at SEC School, Vishal and Vineet were busy doing their class work. "I love coming to school," Vishal told HT as he wrote out the alphabet.

neha.bhayana@hindustantimes.com (If you want to donate or refer a patient, call the Muscular Dystrophy Society on 23753875)