Eng is a 48-year-old man who lives with his wife and youngest son in Kompong Cham province, Cambodia, where they raise ducks and farm rice. He has three children, with the two eldest married and living a short drive away. In his free time, Eng enjoys watching boxing and catching up on the news on his phone.
Eng was diagnosed with Pott’s disease, a condition caused by spinal tuberculosis that affects the vertebrae and can lead to paralysis, after experiencing pain, swelling, and pus around his spine. In 2021, he underwent surgery at a clinic to address the condition. However, in the last few weeks, he has been experiencing progressive weakness in his lower limbs and is now unable to walk or work.
Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, can help. Specialty surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a laminectomy with osteosynthesis, a procedure to relieve pressure on his spinal cord and stabilize his spine. Eng can only afford $100 toward the surgery and needs your help to raise $1,400 to cover the cost of the surgery, implants, hospitalization, post-operative care, and physiotherapy. After recovery from the procedure, which is scheduled for November 27th, his spine will be stabilized, relieving pressure on the spinal cord and giving him the chance to regain mobility and return to farming to support his family.
Eng’s wife shared, “I hope he will be able to walk again and return to work on the farm soon.”