On Crutches for 18 Years: Chandpur's Billal Khan Runs His Family by Breaking Bricks

In the Kaladi area of Matlab Dakshin upazila town in Chandpur, Billal Khan was sitting on the ground floor of a building under construction, breaking bricks with a hammer. He is 42 years old. A pair of crutches lay beside him — they are what he relies on to move.

Speaking to him there on the afternoon of October 2, his story emerged in conversation. He lost a leg in an accident at just 12 years old. Since then, for about 18 years, he has travelled far and wide on crutches to break bricks into aggregate at various buildings under construction, and his family runs on those wages.

Billal's home is in Chauranga village in Faridganj upazila of Chandpur. He is the eldest among two brothers and five sisters. He lost his father, Jalil Khan, in childhood. His day-labourer father left no assets behind, and after his death the family's income stopped.

To meet family expenses, Billal took a job at his grandfather's tea shop in a market in Hajiganj upazila at the age of 12. One day, out of curiosity, he went to look at a spice-grinding machine in the market. As he went close, his lungi suddenly got caught in the machine's roller.

The pull of the roller broke his right leg. Relatives admitted him to Chandpur General Hospital. But on doctors' advice, his right leg ultimately had to be amputated. At that age, he had to adjust to a new life after losing a leg.

Even after losing his leg, Billal did not lose his courage. First he worked as an employee at his uncle's tea shop. Later, with his uncle's financial help, he set up his own tea shop at Tora Munshirhat market in Faridganj near his home. But losses forced him to give up that shop eventually.

In early 2006, he came to Matlab Dakshin to show his son to a doctor. By then the tea shop in the village was gone too, and he could see no other way to earn. So he thought of settling here with his family, hoping some income could be arranged if he stayed.

Later, Billal began living with his wife and children in a rented home in the Nabakals area. He now pays three thousand taka a month in house rent. In the first two years after coming here, he worked as a day labourer. Billal says there were days when they went without food. Later he started breaking bricks to make aggregate.

Billal says he earns an average of 500 to 600 taka a day. He gets work 15 to 16 days a month. For work, he sometimes has to walk two to three kilometres on crutches. His family runs on this income. He has also married off his two daughters. Billal has two daughters and a son.

Many people have told Billal there is no need to work — he could simply beg from others. Billal did not take that path. He says many told him to hold out his hand to others, to beg. But he feels ashamed to ask anyone for help and hates begging. That is why he keeps going by his own labour.

Running the family is not easy, however. Billal says after paying house rent, this income is not enough. His request to the government is to arrange a house for him to live in. His coworker Billal Hossain, who was working in the same building at the time, says the way Billal Khan runs his family through hard work despite his physical disability is exceptional.

Matlab Dakshin Upazila Nirbahi Officer K M Ishmam has said he will inquire about Billal. He says the way Billal is fighting to survive by overcoming physical barriers is rare. He assured Billal of assistance from the administration. It remains to be seen how quickly that assurance turns into real help.