Read our powered by our community 🙌 Check out our 🙌
Meet another patient

Watsi logo blueWatsi

Success! Kriscous from the Philippines raised $1,464 to treat a cleft palate.

Kriscous
100%
  • $1,464 raised, $0 to go
$1,464
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Kriscous's treatment was fully funded on February 19, 2016.

Photo of Kriscous post-operation

March 28, 2016

Kriscous received successful treatment for his cleft palate.

“After the treatment, Kriscous and his family are very happy and overwhelmed of the operation done,” our medical partner shares. “Now, Kriscous can play with his playmates without the fear of being bullied. He can smile and laugh happily. His parents are very thankful that Kriscous has come to this point of healing. When discharge photos were taken he gladly posed with his friends. It was an amazing scene to be cherished.”

Kriscous’s parents share: “We are very grateful that you have helped us to afford the operation for our son. You don’t know how much you have changed our lives, especially our son’s life. Since his surgery, Kriscous always says to us that he is now so handsome.”

They conclude, “Thank you so much, our family will not forget you and may you be blessed more and more.”

"After the treatment, Kriscous and his family are very happy and overwhelmed of the operation done," our medical partner shares. "Now, Krisc...

Read more
January 30, 2016

Kriscous is a jolly, four-year-old boy from the Philippines with cleft palate. Kriscous loves playing with his grandmother and other children. However, he become very shy because other children make fun of his appearance and altered speech.

The attention from other children, and the frustration he experiences when his community can’t understand him constantly puts him on edge, and he often gets into fights with other children and neighbors. In addition to worrying about his health, his family worries that Kriscous will continue to be unhappy if his condition persists.

With $1,464, Kriscous will receive cleft palate repair surgery and follow-up care that will help him speak with less difficulty and give him the confidence to connect with other children. According to his grandmother, “Kriscous is very excited to be treated so he can have self-confidence and fulfill his dreams.”

Kriscous is a jolly, four-year-old boy from the Philippines with cleft palate. Kriscous loves playing with his grandmother and other childre...

Read more

Kriscous's Timeline

  • January 30, 2016
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Kriscous was submitted by Krishiel Ferenal, National Health Officer at International Care Ministries.

  • February 4, 2016
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Kriscous received treatment at Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao in Philippines. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • February 10, 2016
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Kriscous's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • February 19, 2016
    FULLY FUNDED

    Kriscous's treatment was fully funded.

  • March 28, 2016
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Kriscous's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 50 donors

Treatment
Cleft Lip / Palate Repair - WITHOUT PHIL-HEALTH
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

A cleft lip is a common birth defect that causes a split in the upper lip, which divides the lip into two parts separated by a gap. A cleft palate is a birth defect that causes a split in the palate. Some patients have splits in their lips, palates, and gums. These patients have difficulty eating and speaking clearly. Their appearances are affected, which may cause social difficulty. Finally, those with a cleft palate may also have difficulty swallowing and experience chronic ear infections.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Children with cleft lips experience a variety of psychosocial issues, such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and social isolation. They may also experience difficulty eating, speech impediments, ear infections, and hearing loss.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

This treatment is necessary and has no historical, cultural, or regional significance.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

A child is admitted prior to the surgery to be assessed by the surgeon and the anesthetist. The surgery is done under general anesthesia. The surgeon will make incisions to both sides of the cleft and create extra flaps of tissue to bridge the gap. These flaps are then brought together and sutured. If the patient has a split in more than one area, he or she will undergo multiple surgeries. The lip is repaired first, and the palate will be treated after six months. If the gum is split, the patient will undergo another surgery after several years.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

The patient will have only a thin scar on the upper lip, improving his or her appearance. The child's speaking ability and quality of life will improve tremendously.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Cleft lip repair is a relatively simple surgery that usually results in normal lip appearance, structure, and function. The main potential complication is infection. Patients may also develop abnormal scar tissue called keloids or hypertrophic scars.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Many regional hospitals provide this surgery. However, there are often significant out-of-pocket expenses that make the surgery inaccessible. Furthermore, families may not know how to navigate the health system. They need a case manager to guide them through each stage of treatment, which our medical partner provides.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Surgery is the only means of correcting the defect in the upper lip. This surgery will be supplemented by speech and nutrition therapy.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Angela

Angela is a 32-year-old woman from Kenya. She is a single mother to four children between the ages of 4 and 13 years old. Her husband left to marry another woman, and Angela works hard to provide for her children. She was fetching firewood to sell to hotels and homes but became too ill to carry out this work. She also worked in a hotel as a cleaner, but the income was insufficient for their needs. Now, after taking her children to school, Angela stays in the area to carry water and wash clothes for residents. She also receives some financial support from her family. Angela shared that life has been challenging, but she is thankful to be alive and raising support for her treatment needs. Angela first met our medical partner's surgical team during a medical camp they hosted in her hometown a few months ago. During that visit, she was diagnosed with a non-toxic multinodular goiter. Angela’s symptoms began a few years back, including experiencing swelling on her neck and difficulty eating, swallowing, and breathing. She cannot sleep at night and becomes fatigued quickly. Angela needs to undergo surgery to heal and prevent her symptoms from worsening. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Angela receive treatment. On March 16th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy at AMH’s care center. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $936 to fund Angela’s surgery. Angela said: “Life is so hard, and sometimes I want to give up, but when I remember my children, I encourage myself to keep going only for their sake. When I get treated, I can work hard and provide for them without difficulty. Kindly help me.”

10% funded

10%funded
$100raised
$836to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.