Latest update February 10th, 2025 7:48 AM
Family seeks help for boy with rare throat disease
A mother from Kuru-Kururu, on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway is now seeking assistance from the public after her 16-year-old son, for the past eight years has been suffering from Papilloma with Squamous Epithelium – a condition where a “cyst-like growth” continuously forms on his vocal chords.
Welch’s mother, Christela De Freitas yesterday confirmed that her son, Stephon Leon Welch, a student of Friendship Secondary School, was diagnosed with the “rare” disease.
Welch was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for a hoarse throat when he was eight. After several tests were conducted, it was revealed that he had a growth on his vocal chords. He returned after two months with stridor and an emergency tracheotomy was done. The histology showed to be chronic inflammation with polyp formation with a web formation.
Stephon Leon Welch (Photo provided by Christela De Freitas)
Welch was put on antiviral treatment and was advised to go for laser treatment. Since then, his tracheotomy tube has been changed repeatedly and the Papilloma on his laryngeal inlet excised twice along with the excision of the web formation – which happens to recur.
However, due to the recurrence of the disease and the web formation at a “Glottis 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.
After years of his family being unsuccessful in locating a health facility to administer the required treatment, they were finally able to do so earlier in July via the JIPA Connect Network.
The treatment centre is located in Colombia (Clinica Colsanitas) where he may be required to undergo 1-3 surgeries. The estimated total for the treatment is US $20,461.83 (GYD $4,239,748.12).
De Freitas said yesterday that for the past eight years since the insertion of the tracheotomy tube, her son has been unable to breathe and speak on his own.
“I am hoping and praying that this treatment would be the last one and all goes well so that he will feel better. He cannot speak, he usually communicates using signs and by writing,” De Freitas said.
She is therefore seeking assistance 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 her on 592 670-4077 / 592 261 5994.
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