Panvel Family Struggles to Care for 13-Year-Old Aryan Ughade Battling Rare SSPE

A tribal family in Houshachiwadi, Panvel is facing immense challenges as they care for 13-year-old Aryan Ughade, who has been struck by the rare neurological condition Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE).

Aryan, who was once an active and energetic child, is now completely bedridden and unable to sit, speak, or swallow. Prior to the onset of the debilitating condition, he studied at an Adivasi Ashram School and spent his time playing with his brothers in their tribal hamlet.

At their home in Houshachiwadi, Aryan's mother, Aarti, and his grandmother, Bhuri, are his primary caregivers. The family has reported being left to search for medicines and supportive care on their own after medical experts informed them that the rare disease has no known cure.

The household continues to struggle with managing Aryan's daily needs and securing treatment to manage his condition.