Meet Abednego, a cute, two-week-old baby boy. “He is the fourth born in his family,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF).
According to AMHF, “Abednego was born with a deformity on his lower back, which at times leaks cerebral spinal fluid.” This deformity is called a myelomeningocele and it occurs when the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth.
“Apart from the deformity on his back, Abednego is healthy and feeds well,” AMHF reports. However, if his condition goes untreated, Abednego will continue to be at risk of contracting a fetal infection, or could lose full use of his lower limbs.
“Abednego’s parents are small scale famers.” They mainly grow vegetables, but also support avocado and papaya trees when they are in season. The family sells their produce at an open market in the village.
Though they have a small income, Abednego’s parents are unable to afford their son’s treatment. In addition, AMHF shares, “Abednego’s sister also has a medical condition which requires a lot of money they do not currently have.”
With $1,200 in Watsi funding, Abednego’s spinal defects will be repaired. The spinal cord will be connected to its protective tissue and the buildup of cerebral spinal fluid will be rerouted to the abdomen, where it can be absorbed into the body.
After surgery, AMHF explains, “Abednego will no longer be at risk of contracting fetal infection and he may have the ability to use his lower limbs.”
“I really hope that my son will get well. I want to be able to hold him without fearing that I’ll hurt him in any way. I want him to be able to sit, crawl and walk as time goes on,” expresses Abednego’s mother.