Mallika Mahendru

A childhood tumor on her spine at the age of two months left Mallika a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down. Now, a brilliant 13-year-old with a positive attitude and a beautiful smile, Mallika is an inspiration and a vibrant part of our community. She has grown up using a wheelchair and a standing frame. In spite of her different abilities, Mallika participates in all extra curricular activities at school like wheelchair gymnastics, swimming, biking, robotics, drama, singing, playing various musical instruments, cheerleading and dancing, and wheelchair basketball. She excels in her class and is an honor roll student at Alta Sierra. Mallika wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up to help young children. She is on the team of junior barrier breakers at a local non-profit organization called “Break the Barriers”. Her mother has dedicated her life and gave up her management career to take care of Mallika’s day-to-day needs.

Mallika does intensive physical and rehabilitative therapies every year and many times she and her mother have to travel to specialized therapy centers like SCI –FIT in the bay area, Project Walk in San Diego, and Kennedy Krieger in Baltimore during her school breaks. Most of these programs are not covered by insurance and cost thousands of dollars each year. The family also has astronomical out-of-pocket costs for in-home rehab equipment, a wheelchair accessible vehicle, and home modifications so Mallika can easily navigate her home. Lastly, and most promisingly, a company in Berkeley that makes EKSOBIONICS, which is a wearable suit that would allow Mallika to walk and take steps on her own, is developing a pediatric version and is considering Mallika as an initial tester. This will cost upwards of $120,000.

To help with the financial burden of Mallika’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in her honor has been established with Help Hope Live. To make a tax-deductible donation, click Donate Now.

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Sincerely,

Family and Friends of the Mahendru Family