Mohammad Kaleem, an 8-year-old boy who lives with his parents in a small village in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, has always been bullied by other children of his age due to his oversized hands. Even schools refused to admit him for fear that his large hands would frighten other students.

Kaleem’s family also faced discrimination from superstitious neighbors who believed that his large hands were due to a curse and that he was “the son of a demon.”

Everyday tasks such as bathing, changing clothes, and eating became increasingly difficult for Kaleem as his hands grew larger. His parents were too poor to afford treatment for their son.

However, after Kaleem’s story appeared in some international newspapers, the boy finally received help from medical experts in southern India.

Last year, Kaleem’s family was introduced to Dr. Raja Sabapathy, a renowned pioneer in surgery. Dr. Sabapathy agreed to help Kaleem.

“Dr. Sabapathy gave us hope. He was the first person to tell us that there is still a way to save my son,” said Haleema Begum, Kaleem’s mother.

Αs one of the most complex surgeries ever performed, the challenge for Dr. Sabapathy and his colleagues was to reduce Kaleem’s hand without damaging the nerves, so that the boy could still use his hand in the future.