Lakshmi was born with four arms and four legs in the northern state of Bihar. Coming from an impoverished rural village without electricity or running water, her disability caused numerous challenges for her devoutly religious parents. Lakshmi's mother Poonam, and father Shambu, worked as casual laborers, earning a dollar-a-day (the same price as a portion of McDonald's French fries!)
Feted by villagers as a reincarnation of the eight-limbed Hindu goddess after whom she is named, Lakshmi needed constant care from her parents, who were forced to take days off work to care for her – halving their already meager salary.
Despite several attempts to get medical help for their daughter, they were turned away from government hospitals and told nothing could be done – until a hospital in Bangalore was able to provide some hope.
The Tatma family made the journey from Bihar to Bangalore, along with Lakshmi's four-year-old brother Mithilesh, with all their possessions in one bag.