Three-month-old Joshua was born with an open mass on his back, and diagnosed with spina bifida. Unfortunately, he has also been diagnosed with a tethered cord - a common complication of spina bifida. He currently experiences pain and may develop dysfunctional lower limbs if not treated.
Joshua and his mother reside at his grandparents’ place in a one–room house in Kenya. His mother was only in class five when she got pregnant by her fellow pupil. She therefore relies on Joshua’s grandparents who are subsistence farmers, and unable to help with funding Joshua’s surgery. Joshua’s family wants the best for him – that he will grow up with no complications and hopefully when he is well, his mother plans to proceed with her education.
“I don’t want to think of losing him,” Joshua’s mother shared. “I hope that Joshua will get the treatment he so requires despite our financial hardships right now and one day we will give back to someone in the same situation.”