Ratha is a six year old boy with one younger brother. Their parents are farmers. He is in the first grade and loves reading books about animals. Everyday when he finishes his homework, he takes his brother outside to play. They also like to watch cartoons together.
Since he was born, Ratha has had contracted muscles in the left side of his neck, which has made it difficult for him to move or rotate his head. In addition, his head is tilted to the left side, and he cannot keep it straight. Ratha has often experienced social ostracization due to this condition, and he has difficulty participating in athletics with other students.
Doctors at Watsi’s Medical Partner CSC now plan to perform a tenotomy in order to release the tension in his neck and allow him to gain a greater range of motion. After this procedure he will be able to rotate and tilt his head normally.
Ratha’s father said, “My son enjoys playing soccer near the house, but I want him to be able to play with all the children and make a lot of friends. This surgery will really make his life better.”