Love Shaped Akshara’s Smile

For Mythri, life took an unexpected turn after her husband, Manjunath’s, sudden demise left her to raise their two daughters alone. Although the grief of losing him was immense, there was hardly any time to dwell on the pain. She had to step up, becoming both mother and father to her children, especially for her younger daughter, Akshara, who was born with a cleft.

At the time of Akshara's birth, the family was prepared for the challenges ahead. A third-trimester ultrasound had revealed Akshara’s cleft. Though the news was hard to hear, the parents never lost hope. Mythri and Manjunath believed that with the right care, Akshara could lead a full and healthy life. What they didn’t foresee was the multitude of challenges that lay ahead — that their baby would struggle to eat and gain weight, that her appearance would invite judgment, and that acceptance would be hard to come by. Above all, that Mythri would have to face these trials alone after Manjunath’s untimely death.

An accountant, Mythri worked tirelessly to ensure her girls lacked for nothing. But nothing came easily.  Akshara had difficulty feeding, and medical bills loomed large. The weight of her grief mixed with the fear of the unknown. Her world had changed, but her love for her daughters remained a guiding light, helping the whole family through the darkest of times.

As Mythri’s worries began to pile up, a glimmer of good news emerged. A doctor recommended Smile Train partner Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital (BMJH) in Bengaluru, where Akshara could receive free cleft treatment, thanks to Smile Train’s support. It felt like a ray of hope piercing through the clouds of uncertainty. With this newfound possibility, Mythri gained the strength and determination to continue fighting for her daughter’s future.

The exceptional care and attention they received at BMJH were truly transformative. Under the guidance of the medical team, Akshara successfully underwent all of her surgeries and is currently progressing through her orthodontic treatment and speech therapy, also made possible by Smile Train.

Today, Akshara is a vibrant and spirited nine-year-old with dreams of becoming an actor and dancer.

“Smile Train came to us like a guardian angel, helping us emerge from our distress,” said Mythri. “My daughter’s new life is truly a blessing from Smile Train. I am now determined to support Akshara’s dreams with all my strength to help her reach her fullest potential.”