A flagship programme of TGF, this employs peers [a person with SCI who has been rehabilitated and is leading an independent life] to reach out, connect with and network with other persons with SCI to share experiences and offer support across a range of issues, both psychological and physiological. Most often, the first step is helping persons come out of denial [post their injury, almost all of them harbour the hope that their mobility will be restored], prepare them for a life on a wheelchair and give them the hope that there is still life post an SCI. Further, this programme also acts as a feeder of sorts to all other programmes run by TGF.
This programme is pan-India in nature and there are close to 40 peers associated with TGF as part of this programme.

Another key programme of TGF that promotes independence and physical mobility to persons with SCI. TGF engages with multiple partners to provide a high-quality wheelchair across a range of price points [entry-level (for a person who has suffered a recent injury), mid-range (those seeking to step outside the confines of their home) and top-end (for persons seeking to pursue livelihood opportunities)]. As part of this programme, TGF distributes, on average per year, about 200 WCs to beneficiaries. Supply partners include Forza Medi, NeoMotion and Motivation.

A pioneering initiative that was conceptualised during the COVID phase of 2020, this programme endeavours to offer rehab solutions to persons with SCI on a no-cost basis from the comfort of their homes; it also helps address the crippling shortage of beds across the country for physical rehab.
The programme is administered by TGF’s team of select peer trainers who work alongside trained physiotherapists and occupational therapists, overseen by a programme lead. On average, a person completes his/her rehab process and graduates from the programme in between 8-16 weeks [depending on level of injury, regularity of attendance etc].
On average, about 100 persons graduate from this programme every year and costs are a fraction of what would have otherwise been incurred on physical rehab.
Touch Freedom, in association with R2D2 of IIT, Madras, has also conceptualised and created the first phase of a set of self-help videos to help persons with SCI across a range of topics. These are truly transformative, incredibly educative and represent how technology can be harnessed to crystallise innovative solutions.
Phase 1, which focuses on wheelchair skills,has a total of 80+ vidoes, organised basis type of wheelchair used and nature of the skill. Dive into these folders below, pick a clip that you think is relevant for you and get started on your jouney to mobile independence.

Touch Freedom

Introduction – Wheelchair Skills

Essential Manual Wheelchair Skills

Good-to-Have Manual Wheelchair Skills

Optional Manual Wheelchair Skills

Essential Powered Wheelchair Skills

Good-to-Have Powered Wheelchair Skills

Optional Powered Wheelchair Skills

Conclusion

This programme endeavours to provide a good quality cot and mattress to a person with SCI. Many persons lack the resources to afford these implements and end up sleeping on the floor, which impacts their skin health, apart from exposing them to the hazards of insect/reptile bites. A quality cot and mattress improves posture and also helps keep bedsores at bay.

Extending financial support to tide over medical emergencies is a key focus area. Of particular interest is funding bedsore treatment, which, if let unattended, can have fatal consequences for persons with spinal cord injury. The scope of this programme has now been extended to also cover other surgeries and hospitalisation expenses incurred in a non-surgical setting. Thee Trust [Pipilli, Odisha]; CMC [Vellore, Tamil Nadu]; and Duncan Hospital [Raxaul, Bihar] are a few of the hospital with TGF is associated with as part of this programme.

No form of rehab is complete unless beneficiaries can access livelihood options that can provide them with a sustainable stream of cash flows to help lead independent lives. TGF works with potential beneficiaries and provides them with initial funds to kickstart a small business [a petty shop or a Xerox outlet, for example]; rope in trainers to impart skill training [tailoring, carpentry or soap making]; or support purchase of equipment [sewing machine] or farm animals [poultry farming]. The idea is to teach them to fish, as opposed to feeding them with fish.

An initiative that lends financial support to facilitate school and college education of either persons with SCI or children of persons with SCI. Given how education can be an enabler of livelihood [by improving their prospects of finding employment], we believe that this initiative can create a life-changing impact on the people we support.

TGF sees participation in marathons by persons on wheelchairs as an excellent example of inclusion and a compelling advertisement of the abilities of the differently abled. Every year, we sponsor several persons on wheelchairs to take part in marathon events across the country, which also helps in driving forward the narrative of societal inclusion.