Neetu Wadhwa, co-founder Scleroderma India, a patient advocate committed to improving lives of those affected by Scleroderma. As we relive the memories of our interactions with Neetu, let us resolve to continue to champion for the rights and wellbeing of patients and their families.
Rashmi Bhasin, Trustee and Core Committee Member, Scleroderma India
Today marks one year to the untimely passing of our dear NEETU.
She was a Warrior in true sense. I always remember her smiling face and “I WILL BEAT IT ATTITUDE “. The last conversation I had with her was on the same lines just 10-12 days before her passing, she was in ICU and she was on high flow oxygen, she did a video call and asked me not to worry. She said “ I will be out in the ward by tomorrow and then we will plan further “ ….unfortunately God had other plans, she didn’t make it. It was 23rd of October last year when her brother called me saying that she was bleeding internally. I was shell shocked. I didn’t know how to react. She still fought for more than 18 hours. At about 4 am her brother informed about her transiting into the universe. It was Diwali day. God choose the auspicious day to take the pure soul under his wings.
We lost our mentor and founder. I lost my friend and soul sister. The light had passed from one universe to another…silently and quietly.
When I went to see her parents and pay my last respects I saw how from a single room she set up the Scleroderma Foundation. She was restricted to her house since she was on oxygen support. I don’t know where she gathered all that strength and courage to do all this. Life was a constant challenge for her, several ailments like scleroderma, ILD, gastro issues, ulcers and much more kept her on her toes but if one spoke to her you could never judge her suffering. Her priority were her fellow patients and their sufferings . No one remembers her complaining or blaming destiny .
Life threw lot of curve balls at her she just accepted them ,I learnt a lot from her…all of us have.
There is not a single day that she is not remembered or missed. For those who knew her she has left a void and unfillable hole in their lives. I pray to the almighty her soul to be in peace. I hope she is happy wherever she is . We will definitely meet one day. I know she is smiling and looking after us.
TILL WE MEET AGAIN…LOVE YOU …..MISS YOU
Read more about Neetu Wadhwa here
Mona Menorr, member Scleroderma India
When I first talked to Neetu, I was literally in awe of her. The more I came to know about her, the more I realised the enormity of the work she had done for the sclero warriors – to bring us all together in a group. She never revealed her pain but was ever ready to listen to our problems. I wish I had interacted more with her. She was a very beautiful person with a beautiful soul. Nothing can lessen the pain of her going except the thought that she is in a better place now. Thank you so much Neetu for your work with scleroderma group. You are missed dear.
Lata Krishanchand, Working committee member, Scleroderma India
Its been a year since Neetujee left us physically, but emotionally and mentally she is still present with us, showering her love and duidance always.
Neetu always told me – “Lata I don’t want other warriors to face the problems and difficulties which we have gone through due to lack of proper knowledge and awareness.
Yeh Neetuje ka prayas aur hausala hi hai jo aaj yeh group abhi tak Live hai and SCLERODERMA INDIA ek registered NGO hai...
Aaj Scleroderma India ki website and youtube Channel par woh sab information available hai jo ek warrior ko chahiye iss disease se fight karne ke lia..
Her dadication and devotion toward the wellness of Scleroderma patients was commendable...
Unhone apna tan(तन) man (मन) aur dhan (dhan) सब kuch hum par laga diya...
We will be indebted to her ever
To keep her happy and at peace in her further Journey, the least we all can do is.. Be Courageous and Positive Toward life...Make the Best of what you have...
Don’t Complain, Count Your blessing
Love U Neetu.. Be Happy and Healthy wherever U are
Kirtida Oza, Founder, Sjogren’s India
I often wish I had had the good fortune to meet Neetu in person. However that was not to be…
And yet she was my friend, my special comrade on the common path of Patient Advocacy and I miss her…
My tryst with Scleroderma India’s journey started well before I knew about Neetu. I had been interacting with Kavita Chaddha, a Scleroderma patient over the years. In 2015, at a two-day workshop organized by Sjogren’s India in Ahmedabad with patient leaders to strengthen the patient movement especially for the Rheumatic diseases in India, I was delighted to learn from Kavita that they had gone ahead with the idea of forming a support group especially focusing on Scleroderma. I was introduced to Neetu who was going to ‘run the show’!
The soft spoken, earnest voice that greeted me assured me that she would indeed take this mission forward. We had long conversations on phone, we had zoom calls, WhatsApp chats and all geared for the better management of these dreadful chronic conditions that impacted the collective lives of the people who suffered. We shared our struggles and our small triumphs along this journey full of twists and turns. We gave each other the encouragement and the support that all lone Patient Leaders need during difficult times. Through Neetu, I learnt so much about Scleroderma and its devastating impact on peoples’ lives. Although she preferred never to talk about her own struggles, I could sense her multiple challenges. The brave champion that she was, she wouldn’t even let go of her commitments despite being on 24 hour oxygen support! I admired her grit, determination and tenacity to continue… but kept worrying about her state of deteriorating health.
Neetu was very generous in extending support to me and other support groups. Being a trained techie, she would often help us all with our tech issues. She would make an effort to collaborate with us on our initiatives and really facilitate comradery between the various groups. We both strongly felt it was important to have a common platform - the Patients Alliance for Rheumatic Diseases (PARD). I would set up these meetings and Neetu diligently maintained records. We were able to jointly offer the first ever webinar with leading Rheumatologists and all Patient Leaders on one platform! Sadly, that chapter needs revival.
Neetu was a doer. She set the ball rolling and Scleroderma India moves on!
Aparna Mittal, founder PatientsEngage
I had shared some of my thoughts on Neetu’s work as a patient advocate last year. Today as I reflect back on our conversations over the 3 years that I interacted with her a few things come forth stronger than ever.
- Her valuable insights into the lives of young women in India affected by Scleroderma and its complications - that came through her own experience, her conversations with these women and sometimes their families.
- Her understanding of the challenges of running a patient advocacy group. Rashmi, she would have been proud of how you have continued to steer Scleroderma India
- Her willingness to collaborate and her focus on action. Every conversation of ours ended up with a list of actions. Neetu, I am still working through that list to nudge better health outcomes for patients in India.
Neetu, I miss our conversations and chats. I miss your forthright views.
Neetu, I truly wish I had met you.
