Derick is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania, and he an only child. He is a friendly boy who likes playing and listening to stories from his mother. Derick’s parents depend on small scale farming to make ends meet.
When Derick learned to walk, his parents noticed that his legs were bending inwards, and he was struggling to get around. As he continues to grow his legs have worsened, making it more and more painful for him to walk, and his mother has to carry him most of the time. Derick’s parents have been to several hospitals and were told he needed surgery to correct his knees. Through Watsi funding, Derick had a surgery for both lower parts of his legs to start his healing process, but he is still experiencing pain in his upper legs and needs treatment for full mobility.
Derick has been diagnosed with femur valgus and tibia varus. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Derick is struggling to walk once more because his upper sections of his legs have been impacted.
Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Derick. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 9th. Treatment will help restore Derick’s mobility, allow him to participate in a day-to-day activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications.
Derick’s mother says, “My son had his first surgery which helped correct both of his legs, helping him walk with ease but know he is struggling because the upper part of his legs have bent. Please help.”