On pursuit to film an extraordinary story in India - Part 1
June 11, 2008 |
Paul Copeland |
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| Director |
When we first set out to visit Lakshmi Tatma in her village, to introduce her to Dr Patil, and then to bring her to hospital, we had no idea if we’d be able to achieve any of these goals. We also knew that there was a lot more than the success of a documentary film hanging on our efforts – in all probability, this was the chance to save a little girl’s life.
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| Girl with Eight Limbs Premieres Sunday, June 22 at 9p |
| Preview the story before it airs. |
Lakshmi’s family lived in one of the poorest, most isolated, and most politically unstable regions of India: an outlying area of a state known as Bihar. Bihar is notorious for lawlessness and a highly active communist terrorist group which bombs road and rail links and attacks police posts on an almost daily basis. We knew that working there was going to be difficult and dangerous – and that the Indian government would be wary of allowing a foreign media crew in to film As the director and producer responsible for making the documentary happen, I knew I needed to put together a top team.
Lakshmi’s family had first been encountered in Delhi by Sam Relph, a locally-based British newspaper journalist who secured their blessing for the documentary. Sam knew the whereabouts of the village where they lived. But in order to give us a chance of a successful documentary shoot, and to take care of Dr Patil during his visit to the village, I decided to engage a top Indian documentary producer, Sneh Gupta. With Sneh’s local knowledge and government contacts, we were able to set about planning our visit to find Lakshmi and have her examined by Dr Patil.
In early July Sam travelled to the village and established that the family where there and desperate for Lakshmi to be seen by a doctor. But in August heavy monsoon rains swept the north-eastern region of India, including Bihar, and caused widespread flooding which killed and displaced many thousands of people and cut off many towns and villages entirely. For a while it seemed as if the journey to meet Lakshmi might be impossible – but we knew that, as soon as the monsoon rains subsided, we had to try.
Read part two of Paul's story by clicking here.
Girl with Eight Limbs Premieres Sunday, June 22 at 9p
Comments (73)
Why is this site/subject so impossible to access? This is one subject that I have been curious about, more than any other for about two weeks. Now, I am unable to see anything about this. What do people do when these programs are available only on cable television? Why am I unable to read about this? Why won't this site work correctly? Just curious.
Posted by Darlina | June 12, 2008 8:42 PM
she is FREAKEY
Posted by emma,julia,olivia | June 14, 2008 4:06 PM
aww poor kid that sucks :[[
Posted by Stephanie and Shannon | June 15, 2008 3:11 PM
whoa i can't wait to watch this show
Posted by SHAY FREE | June 15, 2008 4:16 PM
I bet she could do some amazing cartwheels!
Posted by jimmy | June 15, 2008 5:30 PM
She seems to be very happy. I'm more curious about the goddess she is reincarnated to, does she possess any powers,mystical, spiritial or other. Is their anything else diffrent about her other than her body?
Posted by monica | June 15, 2008 10:26 PM
my roommate got fired for putting a picture of the girl on the wall of a co-worker's cubicle.
Posted by roei adelia | June 15, 2008 11:25 PM
Wow!! I'm very interested with this. I've never seen anything like this!
Posted by Oriana Daly | June 16, 2008 9:16 PM
wow i feel bad for her. Can she walk like that
Posted by anonymous | June 16, 2008 9:35 PM
WOW I can't wait to see what will happen after surgery! will she be all better?will she be able to walk? this will be interesting!!!
Posted by joanne maka olanuka | June 17, 2008 2:04 AM
I was able to watch some of this on 20/20 this past weekend, thanks to my friend who edits the show. Extremely interesting case, many questions can be asked, few answered. Beautiful young girl, a goddess in my eyes; a must watch. Left me wondering, genetic misfunction or a goddess reincarnated? Yet another conflict between Faith and Medicine.
Posted by Almerry Martins | June 17, 2008 8:46 AM
Wow, I wonder what goddess she is supposed to be. Is her state very common, you know extra limbs.
Posted by Emma | June 17, 2008 1:46 PM
I hope this child can have successful surgery to correct her ongoing problems and then go on to lead a productive and fulfilling life like she deserves.
Posted by Diane | June 17, 2008 4:08 PM
wow thats really...unexplainable but at least shes haappy thats good...cant wait to watch this!!!
Posted by ally | June 17, 2008 7:28 PM
poor girl i hope she will get better soon. If i was stuck in a situation like that I wouldn't know what to do
Posted by Krystal | June 17, 2008 8:37 PM
Very mysterious. APOCALYPSE? SCIENTIFIC MALFUNCTION? Is Mother nature trying to tell us something? I am mystified by what I saw. Has there ever been a case like this before? How was the mother able to give birth to the girl considering where she is from? Strongly feel that there is a correlation of Divinity and science here. Don't get me wrong. Talking about the only Higher Power, God the Creator of all things.
Posted by Fascinee | June 17, 2008 11:30 PM
she is so beautiful. how could people be freaked out by her. she is a very beautiful girl. hope the opration goes well best of luck to her and her family
Posted by lily | June 18, 2008 8:32 AM
i feel so sorry for this little girl i dont understand why she is still smiling
Posted by teresa | June 18, 2008 11:10 AM
I'll pray for her to be able to handle the painful surgery. And also pray for the doctors who is doing the surgery for her.
I feel bad for this little girl.
Posted by janice | June 18, 2008 2:49 PM
poor litle girl. hope shell be alright
Posted by smiley boy | June 18, 2008 5:23 PM
is she in pain sometimes or is she normally alright. does it hurt to walk. does she have any other simblings like this
Posted by joe fo sho | June 18, 2008 5:26 PM
I noticed in Q&A they said in her memeory they are building a repetical idol of her so they do not forget her. Sounds like she dies. I do not know as a parent what I whould have done or feel if I choose to have a operation for this and she died.
Posted by pal | June 18, 2008 10:43 PM
She didn't die. They build an idol of her in the form she was before, to immortalize her previous shape as it the resemble the Lakshim goddess. This is obviously an accident in nature that can happen in twins. She seems to a very jolly girl. Well I believe she didn't understand her situation, but I'm very happy she's ok and hopefully she will have a enjoyable and healthy life. I'm looking forward to the show.
Posted by Dayana | June 19, 2008 1:08 AM
I think that this girl is a very special person and she is not a goodess she is ust a deformed child and she needs help.But other than that she is just a regular child . Just with more arms and legs. And if you go to the website and go to video it will show you what actualy happent.She was sapose to have a twin but insted she had her twin on her rearend.She is like twins but all together.
Posted by Comeh | June 19, 2008 9:58 AM
ialso cant wait to see the show !
Posted by comeh | June 19, 2008 10:01 AM
I was trying to research more about this child; the surgery was held in India on November 7 or 8 i think, with 30 different surgeons. I can't find of any other information about how is she now...
Posted by janice | June 19, 2008 11:43 AM
this is freaking amazing
Posted by leslie | June 19, 2008 11:50 AM
quote:
27-hour operation on Wednesday was a huge success and little Lakshmi is now doing well and recovering in a Bangalore hospital. She is awake following her surgery and is apparently full of smiles. She reportedly wiggled her toes and moved her hands, which doctors say is a good sign that her recovery will go smoothly. She may even be able to walk soon. Lead surgeon Dr Sharan Patil told reporters: "Lakshmi is stable and doing well
unquote:
Posted by janice | June 19, 2008 12:10 PM
This poor girl-i feel so sorry far her she is very pretty and i hope the surgery goes perfectly her family need everyone to pray for the-Bless her family
Posted by Jessie | June 19, 2008 9:23 PM
I so hope this beautiful little girl will have a pain free life.
I pray for her and her family.
Posted by vel roedl | June 20, 2008 10:09 AM
I saw the little girl on 20/20. I felt bad for her.
Posted by madison | June 20, 2008 10:09 AM
What kind of a comment is "She's freaky" ?? You have a small mind and a cold heart. Grow up.
Posted by Lana | June 20, 2008 10:30 AM
if i birthed someone like that then i would be freaked out!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by anna | June 20, 2008 10:57 AM
awww poor kid if i was her i would keep them unlessit is bad for her how dose she were pants?
i would keep my arms but only 2 legs
Posted by abby | June 20, 2008 11:27 AM
I saw today on CNN that things went successfully for this beautiful little girl... she will most likely to have her own children and walk!
There have been many parasitic twins and she is lucky she has been born in a day and age when medical science can help.
Heartwarming to see people helping her.
What a brave little girl!
Posted by Anonymous | June 20, 2008 12:21 PM
She is adorable! One question . . . how does she pee?
Posted by Stephanie and Larissa | June 20, 2008 1:00 PM
Lakshami is a beautiful little girl. I don't feel really bad for her because she is happy so I'm happy for her. She will have a great life just like the rest of us. She is no different.She is named after Lakshami the goddess of wealth and good fortune.
Posted by Lindsey | June 20, 2008 3:12 PM
soo many people saying wow...i find it disturbing...how can someone be soo missforionate to lose a tiwn and then have the dead twin stuck to the health baby..
Posted by Anonymous | June 20, 2008 3:56 PM
she is amazing in her little way
Posted by phillip | June 20, 2008 4:49 PM
I will pray for her. God blessed her in a special way and she needs the prayers of all of us to get though this also the doctor's that helped need our support and prayers... I'm sure this was a very risky surgery...she proberly did not understand what kind of shape she was in but by the statue memorial she wil in the future It will make heer more specisl!!
Posted by Laveta | June 20, 2008 6:44 PM
She appears to be a very special, remarkable little girl. Beautiful and all smiles! Not a freak. It was just a formational accident. The other twin appears to not have had a chance to form normally. I look forward to watching the program.
Posted by janey | June 21, 2008 12:19 PM
I FEEL SORRY FOR HER ... SHE IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL !!!I HOPE SHE WILL BE FINE ...
Posted by CHRISTINE | June 21, 2008 2:26 PM
I think she is a beautiful child of god who happens to have more arms to hug you with and legs to kick the stupid people who sees her different than any other human being,our family loves her already
Posted by jennie toles | June 21, 2008 6:58 PM
for all of you who are making ignorant comments should feel so stupid and uneducated. it's so ridiculous. this is a baby that your'e ridiculing. how big do you feel??
Posted by becky | June 22, 2008 1:02 PM
She is indeed still beautiful and is one of God's creations. Just look at the smile on that cute little face. Her father adores her, and it shows. Who cares how they accept her- as a Goddess or little girl. It is just important that she is accepted. I think that man interfered with God's creation. India is getting industrialized without ecologically protective roadblocks. Middle class are seeing doctors who are using chemicals to abort females. They want sons - no dowry. They now have a shortage of females -imbalance in India. These chemicals may be getting to the water. -They are dumping chemicals into the water in the poorer areas without concern for ecology. God bless the doctor who has given her chance at a full life. Good bless everyone in India trying to save their battered ecosystem.
Posted by Randy | June 22, 2008 1:12 PM
This is a very amazing story. My whole heart goes out to Lakshmi, such a brave, adorable and happy little girl. Just viewing her photos and seeing what a happy and humble personality she bares gives me such a warm feeling. She is and will indeed be an inspiration to many who watches and reads her documentary. I will be praying for her as she progresses in health and that she may live a long and prosperous normal life. May the Lord continue to bless her and her family.
Posted by Roxie-Miranda | June 22, 2008 7:00 PM
Just like others, i am amazed at this beatiful little girl. I just hope no matter what happens to her that she has a happy normal childhood, and that her surgery gose good. I wish her family luck and that they will be understanding about her and help her go through life in a psitive way.
Posted by Anjelica | June 22, 2008 7:49 PM
SHE IS SO CUTE AND SHE IS A JOY TO READ ABOUT
Posted by RACHEL | June 22, 2008 8:58 PM
I am trying to watch this but its not on the National Geographic channel where i live. WTF!
Posted by Justin | June 22, 2008 9:26 PM
Time Warner sucks!!! They don't carry this channel!!!!
Posted by marlon m | June 22, 2008 9:40 PM
I am really interested in this document, wish I can see on channel 2 pbs or wish can be repeat on a local well known channel because i have basic cable. Can it be on msn or cbs or discovery or history?
Posted by sharon | June 22, 2008 10:03 PM
It's a wonderful program. She's a brave little girl.
I hope they show it again, for those who missed it.
Posted by Liz | June 23, 2008 12:48 AM
I think it;s wonderful what these doctors have done for this beautiful little girlshe has truly been blessed,MUch love and prayers for her and her family,it;s sad the other twins on the show will not have the chance to be seperated from one another but shown like circus freaks,by the father,the girls wanted to be apart,can't anyone help them?
Posted by adrienne | June 23, 2008 1:40 AM
I watched last night's premiere, and I was extremely impressed by the program. The one question I had that never got answered was: How in the world does she go to the bathroom? And how did the doctors reroute her intenstinal track and rebuild her genitals?
Posted by Lindsay | June 23, 2008 9:29 AM
It was so coinsidence that the mother of the child dream about her building a temple... and then she give birth on the same day of the fiest of their goddest of wealth. the child is very strong and a lot of people helped prayed for her. she is blessed to survive in a 20 hour surgery. and i have high respect for the doctors. they are incredible.
the other set of conjoint twin, they said they want to get separated... but the father doesn't wanna talk about it. i feel bad for her. i think the father deprive their freedom to live life normally... i feel sorry for them.
Posted by janice | June 23, 2008 11:04 AM
its unbelivable.........hope she wil b alryt.
Posted by ANU | June 23, 2008 12:21 PM
GOD blessing for ever to the people who help a kids like Lakhsmi.
Posted by Ale | June 23, 2008 12:36 PM
hope she can walk soon
Posted by mystery | June 23, 2008 1:04 PM
its a miracle for them to do the surgery!
Posted by science teacher | June 23, 2008 1:07 PM
If I didn't have kids of my own and major expenses I would fly to India to visit this little girl. She is absolutely georgeous and every time I look at her face I am filled with emotion and love, like she were my own baby girl!! God bless her family, and all the people that have given her a second chance in life - particularly the doctors. GOD GIVE LAKSHMI GOOD HEALTH!!
Posted by tab | June 23, 2008 4:47 PM
she is so cute and i am so happy the surgey was a success i dont know her but i love her. she is now a normal girl!
Posted by cup cake | June 23, 2008 7:27 PM
Indeed, she is happy, her eyes shine, she breaths life. I hope the better for her and her new life.
Posted by Lyla | June 23, 2008 10:20 PM
When will Lakshmi Tatma story on DVD?
Posted by Donald Tate | June 24, 2008 11:13 AM
I am simpley amazed at her... shes a beautiful baby ... Shes very special along with being so very unique ... I wish her nothing but the best of health and good fourtane through out her life ... My God Bless that Baby Girl... I cant wait to hear any follow up on this story ... Ill be watching for her ..
Posted by Kathleen | June 24, 2008 11:13 AM
It is a miracle what modern technology can do. There is no way possible 80 years ago that this surgery would of even been possible. She didn't freak me out..she was just a beautiful little girl who was different. Who are we to say what is normal? I pray the best for her and her family!
Posted by Jan | June 24, 2008 1:28 PM
To Emma Julia & Olivia
The only thing "freaky" about this situation, is your immaturity. You should be "freaked" out at the comment s you are making about an innocent TWO YEAR OLD BABY!!
Posted by Tiffany | June 24, 2008 1:36 PM
Could you please tell me when this will be aired again? I missed it and I am dying to see how her surgery went and how she is doing now!
Thank you!
Posted by Lisa J. Williams | June 24, 2008 2:40 PM
she is for god love her i do love the jackson's
Posted by elvie jackson | June 28, 2008 9:57 PM
i have watched the show and then went to find more info on parasitic twins and couldn't find any. Where can i find more info.? this is an interesting topic and you should do a show on just parasitic twins. since i and others can't find this info. or just email a web iste to find more info.
thank you,
tina
Posted by tina | June 29, 2008 11:43 PM
OMG I cry everytime I see her little face. My heart is touched by her. My heart goes out to Poonam.
Posted by Gina | June 30, 2008 10:14 AM
I feel sorry for u guys since your other twin did not develop all the way and hard to think about it. I bet u guys stated balling wen u guys found out that the other twin did not develop all the way:[
Posted by Madi | July 3, 2008 12:23 PM
"Randy: Middle class are seeing doctors who are using chemicals to abort females. They want sons - no dowry. They now have a shortage of females -imbalance in India."
I'm sorry but this is rubbish, it is China that's having a shortage of females because of the one child policy.
I only hope that the child lives and happy and normal life and people don't reject her, because they heard of her or she looks diffrent or they pester her because htey think she's a goddess, according o their beliefs
Posted by Alex | July 13, 2008 6:46 PM
I can't believe these comments. Americans must be getting more and more stupid. The mis-spellings alone are distressing enough, but the vapid, empty "wows" and pathetic "bless them's" smack of a country that's about to burn in its own ignorance. Please. SPELL CORRECTLY. DID ALL OF YOU DROP OUT OF SCHOOL????
Posted by Diana Morse | August 16, 2008 4:42 PM