Cherukunnu, Kannur: Struggle to make a living can be pretty brutal for some especially when tragedy strikes family a few times.

M Shylaja of Cherukunnu in Kannur district battled the odds for the sake of her paralysed children and ailing husband. However, the mother of three has died of kidney ailment, pushing the family further into despair.

Even during her last days, the 42-year-old woman had to carry her teenaged twin daughters, who are paralysed below the waist.

The 19-year olds, P V Anushree and P V Mridula, could study till plus-two as Shylaja persevered despite hard times.

The family fell into debt as they sought to provide treatment for the twins, who were born with a congenital disorder. But the treatment failed to bring in any improvement.

Despite their medical condition, Shylaja ensured that her children did not miss out on education. She carried the grown-up children all the way to the Government Welfare school at Cherukunnu for years.

As there is not even a proper road to their house with limited facilities, the family could not even use wheel-chairs. And hence, Shylaja had to carry her children for any journey outside their home.

Her youngest daughter Annaswara, 16, has just completed class X. The mother and the sister took care of all the needs of the twins.

Shylaja's husband worked in the jewellery sector. After an eye surgery, he was unfit for job for a long period. He had just resumed work, assisting in carpentry works.

The family was dealt another tragic blow when Shylaja came down with kidney ailment. Even when she grew weak and had to undergo dialysis, Shylaja’s sole worry was the well-being of her children.