Delhi, April 16: Former Team India cricketer Vinod Kambli, who is recovering from an infection, is currently facing serious health problems. Doctors have warned that he is now at high risk of suffering from cerebral palsy due to persistent neurological problems.
WhatsApp group created to collect financial assistance, confirmed Marcus Couto, a close friend of Vinod Kambli.
‘I have created a WhatsApp group including his friends and many are anonymously donating a lot of financial assistance. His memory is not good, but it has not deteriorated in the last six months. He does not remember much. But, when something clicks, he remembers. Otherwise, it becomes difficult,’ said Marcus Couto.
Couto also expressed serious concerns about the neurological damage caused by Kambli’s smoking habit. Although the former cricketer has now given up drinking, he still asks for cigarettes from passersby, especially auto drivers. This is worsening his condition, he said.
‘Vinod has a blood clot in his brain. The doctors cannot remove it because he did not take precautions earlier. The doctors have suggested that he is at high risk of sudden cerebral palsy. Despite this, he is trying his best to stay alive and overcome his health problems,’ he said.
‘Sometimes when he goes down, he asks auto drivers for cigarettes and they happily give them to him, thinking that they are helping ‘Vinod Kambli’. But, he is unaware of the damage it is causing. It is not his heart, liver or kidneys now; it is his brain that is being damaged,’ he said.
Kambli now spends most of his time at home with his family. His wife Andrea sometimes takes him to care centres in Thane. He finds it difficult to watch TV programmes. But, he enjoys spending time with his children.
Although he sometimes avoids medication due to memory problems, Kambli has shown good physical improvement. His gait has improved and he recently participated in an advertisement shoot. He also hopes to appear on television later this year.