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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Please can you help?
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Please can you help?
by Patrick-M-Rouseau-RN, Oct 07, 1998 12:00AM
Hello,
I'm writing from Cochabamba, Bolivia for your help for a 3yr old boy,
Kevin, with Spina Bifida associated Hydrocephalus. Having just completed
my Peace Corps service in Bolivia, I was scheduled to leave but Kevin's
condition was so sad, I just couldn't walk away. He has survived 6 oper-
ations paid for by donations from the religious community in Bolivia throu-
gh national TV and radio appeals. A brain shunt placed at 4 months failed
to work due to infection and local donations have dried up. Kevin's doctor
says without another functional shunt, he is sure to die.
Kevin's mother, Lourdes, worked 15 hrs/day, 7 days/wk for 20 cents/hr
which barely kept them alive. Another 5yr old son, Dennis, is healthy but
suffers from lack of attention. Indeed, he was often Kevin's babysitter.
The husband left to avoid responsibility for family and medical expenses.
Lourdes has worried herself into bleeding ulcers and frequent nosebleeds
trying to get help for Kevin.
Kevin has the physical appearance and demeanor of a 6 month old baby.
He can only move one hand and arm with any degree of control and he is vis-
ion impaired. His affect is dull and the hope is that its due to lack of
stimulation and neglect, not brain damage. Other than an enlarged head and
operative scars, medical documentation is slim, but potentially a medical
certificate, a history and hopefully a brain scan will be obtainable from
his doctor, as well as photos.
Please, do you know of any organization or group of people who might
be willing to donate financial and/or medical help for Kevin and his
mother?
There is no local mailing address, but my e-mail address is:
***@**** Donations or further information can be through my
daughters or my friend:
Yvette and Yvonne Rousseau Clara Braden
E9831 Miller Rd. 1215 Sherman St.
Munising, Mi. 49862 Marquette, Mi. 49855
906 387 4050 906 226 7686
***@**** ***@****
Thanks for your interest and hopefully your help.
Patrick M. Rousseau RN
Returned Peace Corps volunteer
Cochabamba, Bolivia
US address: HCR ONE Box 27
Munising, Mi. 49862
906 387 4050
***@****
Dear Patrick,
I am so sorry to hear of young Kevin. By your description it does sound like Kevin needs a shunt replacement. Right off hand I only know of a few places were medical care is given freely for this sort of thing. One of the places is the Shriner Children's Hospital. They never turn anyone away, if possible. What I am not sure of is whether they would provide transport to one of their hospitals. I would start my search with them. I will ask around the Cleveland Clinic about what people have heard about dealing with such cases. I know that every now and then there is free medical care provided at the Clinic but I am not sure the details. I will contact our International Center and speak to our Pediatric Chairman and get back to you (on this forum). Anyway, I will get the ball rolling concerning possibilities here at the Cleveland Clinic. Try and find the Shriner's Children Hospital website from your end. I will try a get some sort of answer for you.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS
