The day Dolly Kamdar recognized the toll of her mother’s arthritis is forever imprinted in her memory. It was 2016, and in many ways, the day was unremarkable. Dolly and her mom, Chandrika, enjoyed a chat about Dolly’s then two-year-old son, Niam, specifically his love for cars. They were planning when Chandrika could take him to buy a new toy — Chandrika loved to make her grandson happy.
Then came the sight Dolly can’t unsee. As Chandrika sat down to put on her socks, Dolly stepped out of the room, only to return 20 minutes later and find her mother struggling with the same sock.
“That moment is still so vivid. It’s when I really knew something was wrong,” Dolly says.
Chandrika had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis four years earlier. Although the family knew, Chandrika shielded them from the daily realities of the disease. By 2016, however, she couldn’t hide its effects as it escalated its attack on her hands and feet. Everyday tasks like putting on socks had become increasingly difficult, and in 2022, arthritis-related complications took Chandrika’s life.
The loss devastated Dolly. It also affected Niam. He and his grandmother had developed a strong bond, and after watching Chandrika battle the disease, he was inspired to launch a fundraiser for Arthritis Society Canada in her honour.
A helping hand
Shortly after Dolly found her mom struggling with her socks, Niam became Chandrika’s “right-hand man,” Dolly says. He slipped his grandmother’s feet into her socks. He was at her side from morning until night, playing with her and learning from her. Dolly fondly remembers the many giggles shared by the pair.
“He saw what she went through. He was there for all of it. He felt it,” Dolly says.
“It made me feel so sad, and I really wanted to help,” Niam says.
Niam helped his grandmother until she woke up one day in 2022 with trouble breathing and a bad cough. Dolly brought her to the hospital where doctors discovered water in her lungs and diagnosed her with CREST syndrome, an autoimmune connective tissue disorder that can be related to arthritis and, in severe cases, affect the lungs. Chandrika’s health rapidly plummeted. She developed sepsis. Days later, she passed.
Chandrika left a lasting impression on those who knew her, but her death hit Niam especially hard. Even now, Niam sits beside a photo of his grandmother when he is having a difficult day.
“It’s how he feels connected to her, how he finds solace,” Dolly says.
Given their relationship, it came as no surprise to Dolly when Niam approached her in spring 2025 with an idea to celebrate his grandmother’s legacy.
From charms to change
Niam is a fan of Crocs, particularly Jibbitz charms used to accessorize the footwear. A sports enthusiast, he noticed a lack of athletic-themed Jibbitz on the market. He sensed an opportunity, ordered them in bulk and began selling them to friends, donating the proceeds to Arthritis Society Canada.
The footwear choice was no accident.
“A lot of people like Crocs, and they’re easy to adapt,” Niam says. “They’re also easy to slide on, so my grandma liked wearing them.”
One year since launching his fundraiser, Niam has raised $2,500 for Arthritis Society Canada — with plenty more charms, and fundraising, in store.
“I don’t want people to suffer like my grandma did, and I don’t want other kids to lose a grandparent like I lost mine,” Niam says.
A family commitment
Dolly bursts with pride when discussing her son’s heartfelt initiative. She says, “Watching him navigate the loss of his grandmother and turn it into something good in the world is powerful.”
She knows her mother would share that pride, too. Before passing, Chandrika asked Dolly to tell her grandchildren about arthritis and encouraged her to get involved like she wished she had done when she was able.
It’s a wish Dolly is carrying forward. Through her work, she volunteers with Arthritis Society Canada, helping to build partnerships and raise awareness as a tribute to her mother.
“My mom lit up every room she walked into. She lived life to the fullest and put everybody above herself. She poured love into people, including strangers. She was magic,” Dolly says. “Niam’s found his own unique way to honour her memory. It’s important for me to do the same.”
