Monny Reach and his family are from Takeo Province, Cambodia, about four hours away from the capital city of Phnom Penh. He is the youngest of two siblings, with an older brother who is ten years old and in fourth grade. His father works as a taxi driver, and his mother sells groceries. At home, Monny enjoys playing with toy cars and spending time with his mother. He loves all types of Khmer soups, especially lemongrass sour soup.
When Monny Reach was about a year old, his parents noticed weakness in his foot when he was unable to stand after pulling himself up using furniture. They took him to a children’s hospital, where a doctor observed that his spine was not straight and suspected a spinal deformity. The doctor recommended that he visit an organization for further evaluation, where he was advised to wear a brace. However, due to a respiratory disease he had as a baby, Monny Reach often struggled to breathe, making it impossible for him to wear the brace. He did not begin walking on his own until he was two and a half years old.
Recently, Monny Reach’s parents learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), through social media and sought treatment. In February, he was diagnosed with infantile scoliosis, which causes his spine to curve or twist. This condition can eventually affect his chest and lungs, making it harder for him to breathe. Although Monny does not feel pain, he experiences difficulty breathing and sitting for long periods.
On August 12th, Monny Reach will undergo spinal surgery to correct his scoliosis and stabilize his spine. This surgery is expected to improve his posture and allow him to live a healthier life as he grows. His family hopes that the operation will help him breathe better and prevent future complications, but they need assistance covering the $1,500 cost of the procedure. This amount includes surgery, metal spinal implants, anesthesia, medication, and postoperative care.
Monny Reach’s parents said, “After the operation, we hope that our son will have a normal spine like the other kids and not have any pain. We want him to grow strong and healthy.”