Mother seeks help for ailing son

  
 
Eight-year-old Devin Ramlakhan and his mother, Lilawattie Ramlakhan

Eight-year-old Devin Ramlakhan and his mother, Lilawattie Ramlakhan

For the past three years, life for now eight-year-old Devin Ramlakhan has not been comparable to that of a normal child. Devin has been suffering from a heart condition, and is in urgent need of surgery.

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Recently, Devin and his mother, Lilawattie Ramlakhan, visited this newspaper as part of their bid to raise US$8,500 for Devin’s surgery.

Mrs. Ramlakhan said that about four years ago, Devin, who is the last of three children, ingested paint thinner by accident. Ever since that incident, Devin began visiting the doctor for various medical complaints, the main one being chest pains and shortness of breath.

According to Mrs. Ramlakhan, about one year after the incident, she was told by a private medical practitioner that her son has a vascular heart disease. In order to correct the condition, Devin needs to have a balloon dilation of his pulmonary valve.

The child’s mother said that ever since Devin was diagnosed with the heart condition, it has not only been difficult for him, but also for the entire family. Given the fact that the family lives at Whim on the Corentyne in Berbice, over the years it has been very expensive for the woman to take her child for his routine check-ups at the Georgetown Public Hospital Cardiac Clinic.

The family, who solely depends on the father of the household, an estate worker, is calling on members of the public to give their assistance for Devin’s much-needed surgery.

Mrs. Ramlakhan said that, already, the family has contacted the Ministry of Health for assistance. She said the ministry has since indicated that it will give some assistance.

Also, the Three Rivers Foundation, which is a charitable organization, will be facilitating the surgery, which will be done in India.

The family has said that it has managed to come up with a very small portion of the money needed for the trip, which is set for next March.

Persons interested in giving assistance to little Devin are ask to make contact with Three Rivers Foundation on telephone number 225-5886, or his mother on 337-2392.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008