Kid donates mother's heart valves, walks into many hearts

A seventh-standard student, Vishnu won the hearts of many as he willingly donated his mother's heart valves after she passed away in a road accident.

Vishnu, an 11-year-old boy, was riding pillion as his mother Radhika drove her scooter. A state government employee, his mother was plucked away by fate as they met with an accident near the Thiruvananthapuram international airport Sunday evening.

Radhika was declared dead soon after the accident took place. Vishnu escaped with minor injuries. Doctors at the hospital told Vishnu and his relatives that if his mother's heart valves were removed, they could save the lives of two people. The boy readily agreed to make the donation.

Soon, doctors removed the heart valves, and handed them to the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Techonolgy.

The eleven-year-old boy has seen much sorrow early -- he lost his father six years ago to an illness. And now has lost his mother too. Even so, his generosity at a time of grief has made him a local hero.

Vishnu lives now with the knowledge that though his mother is gone, a bit of her heart will keep beating and keep two people alive for their near and dear ones.