A remarkable journey to recovery
In her early eighties, Sun Maya Gurung lives a quiet life surrounded by her small but close family. A widow with no surviving children, she is looked after by her granddaughter‑in‑law, Binda Maya Gurung. Her grandson moved to Qatar for work around a year ago, leaving Binda as her primary carer.
Sun Maya’s late husband, Gurkha veteran Juthay Gurung, passed away in 2005. It was not until two years later that Sun Maya began to receive a pension from the Trust, a lifeline enabling her to afford food, clothes and cover medical expenses.
“If my husband had not worked hard in the Army, I would never have received this,” she says with deep gratitude.
Sun Maya recalls the hardship her husband faced during service. “My husband used to talk about his Army days with us,” she says. “His mother passed away when he was a child, and his father, who had difficulty hearing, was very worried about him as he was the only son. His father would send letters urging him to return home, saying, ‘You are my only son, and if you die, what will I do alone?’ Every time they went to battle, many soldiers would not come back.”
Even with the monthly pension, challenges remain as Sun Maya finds it difficult to travel. Reaching the nearest town to visit the bank requires an expensive trip by taxi, which they can only afford every few months. Each journey requires careful planning due to the cost and strain it places on Sun Maya.
A fracture left her bedbound
Sun Maya’s health declined drastically after an injury happened during a simple household task. While sweeping she twisted her back and due to weakened bones developed a vertebral fracture. The fracture left her completely bed-bound for more than a year, a long and difficult period during which she developed pressure sores and became virtually immobile.
The Trust stepped in at a critical moment, arranging for Sun Maya to stay at the Residential Home in Kaski where she received round-the-clock care and specialist rehabilitation support.
Rehabilitation Therapist Bina recalls that when she first arrived, “She had no muscle power in her lower limbs. She couldn’t even lift her legs while lying down.”
Regaining mobility and independence
With regular support and physiotherapy, Sun Maya gradually regained strength and was able to stand and walk with assistance. However, she suffered a further setback when she fell and fractured her hip, requiring surgery and a two-week hospital stay. Following surgery, her rehabilitation was restarted and after five months of dedicated care, she was well enough to return home.
Essential equipment provided by the Trust – including a walker, commode chair and air mattress – has restored dignity and comfort to her daily life. Regular medical visits, blood tests and monitoring have helped her manage high blood pressure and gastritis.
Sun Maya fondly remembers her time at the Residential Home: “I still remember my friends there. I liked it very much – I didn’t have to do any work, and we were looked after well with good meals. I wished I could stay longer, but I had to give others a chance too. I am happy I got the opportunity to recover and return home stronger.”
“Before, everyone thought I would die. But my health has improved a lot. When I came back from the Residential Home, they said I returned like a heroine. I used to sit on my bed all day, but now I can come out into the sun on my own.”
Hope for the future
Today, Sun Maya enjoys a level of independence she once feared she had lost forever. She enjoys watching films and listening to music, can walk short distances, and looks forward to the GWT team’s regular visits.
She recently demonstrated to staff the physio exercises she had been taught. Simple movements like standing up and sitting down, and rolling a water bottle with her feet. These small routines have become part of her daily life and help her maintain her strength and balance.
She remains deeply grateful for the support she has received, saying, “I am stronger than before, and we are very thankful for your support.”