“Caleb was born at home through the aid of a mid-wife. He is the last-born in a family of four children,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Now 15 months old, Caleb lives in rural Kenya with his mother, father, and three siblings.
Caleb has spina bifida, a leaking mass of cerebral spinal fluid on his lower back. AMHF tells us, “At three months, his mother noted that Caleb was having several episodes of rapid eye movement. Caleb was born with a mass swell on his lower back and head size larger than usual, but because of the home birth no diagnosis was made until they were advised by a friend to come to Bethany Kids (a Watsi partner hospital) for specialized treatment four months ago. They, however, did not come then due to financial constraints and even now they have only managed to raise transport to the hospital.”
Caleb needs $805 for spina bifida closure, a surgery that will close the mass and help reduce the risk of infections. If untreated, AMHF says, “Caleb is at a risk of infection, development of a tethered cord that can lead to either scoliosis and/or kyphosis and loss of muscle function on his lower limbs.” In addition, “Caleb has been having several episodes of convulsions which are fatal if not addressed soon.”
Caleb’s mother says, “We have taken a long time to come here but I am glad we finally made it. Please help us make his treatment possible.”
