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Family seeks help for overseas surgery for teen
By Phylicia Richardson
A family is in desperate need of help for saving the life of their 15-year-old relative who is suffering from Papilloma of the vocal cords.
After years of running in and out of the hospital with the teenager, Stephon Welch of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, the family did some rigorous research and they recently located a health facility in Colombia (Clinica Colsanitas) to administer the required treatment.
Although there is not a deadline for the surgery, the family has received a quotation from the Colombian facility which is valid for only thirty days.
Stephon Welch
With the condition obviously becoming worse, the family has the desire of having three surgeries done as soon as possible. The estimated total for the treatment is US$20,461.83 (approx G$4,239,748).
Not being able to come up with such amount of money, the family was left with no choice but to seek public assistance.
The teen’s sister, local artiste Tennicia De Freitas has been campaigning even on social media to solicit help for her younger brother who is a student of Friendship Secondary School.
According to a release by the sister, “at the tender age of 8 he was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation with a hoarse voice as he has been that way from the time he learned to speak.”
After carrying out some tests, doctors then discovered that he had a growth on his vocal cords; Papilloma with Sq. epithelium. He was subsequently treated and sent home.
Just two months later, the then eight year old had to be rushed back to the hospital with stridor
(a harsh vibrating noise when breathing, caused by obstruction of the windpipe or larynx) and an emergency tracheotomy was done. The histology showed that his vocal cord was chronically inflamed with polyp and web formations.
He was placed on antiviral treatment and doctors had advised that a treatment be done. Since then his tracheotomy tube has been changed repeatedly and the Papilloma on his laryngeal inlet excised twice with excision of web formation, but it recurs.
Due to recurrence of the disease and web formation at Glottic Level, he has been again advised to go for Laser Excision of the Papilloma and the Web. However, the Laser treatment is not available in Guyana.
Hence the family did their research and finally got the breakthrough, compliments of the JIPA Network, where they were able to locate a suitable facility.
For seven years, since the insertion of the tracheostomy tube, Stephon has been unable to breathe and speak on his own, and as such he is desperately in need of this special Laser treatment as the condition worsens as he gets older.
The family is seeking the kind assistance of the public in any way possible to help accumulate the required amount for his treatment. Donations can be made to the Scotia Bank account (A/C 283150) or by contacting his mother, Christela De Freitas on 592-670-4077 or 592-261-5994.
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