Parents seek $4 million for son’s surgery
Blackwood told THE STAR that her son was born a healthy baby at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, but months later he became very ill and was diagnosed with bronchitis, then asthma. She stated that as he grew older, he developed more complications, and it was then that she realised his head was growing abnormally.
VERY CONCERNED
“I pointed out the veins that he had at the side of his head to several doctors, but they told me it was normal. I was very concerned, especially when he cried because that’s when they would get extremely large. But they (doctors) said he was normal,” she said.
Jevaughn was eventually diagnosed with Craniosynostosis, while he was being tested for another condition in the United States in June. Blackwood stated that the primary surgeon is charging her US$10,000 (J$1,372,574), and he would be assisted by two other doctors whose fees are also not included. “These funds will be used to give him a chance at survival. If he does not do the surgery, he will die. In the meantime, he could suffer from cognitive impairment, no energy or interest (lethargy), blindness, eye movement disorders and those which have already started, headaches and developmental delays,” she said. A GoFundMe account has been set up for the youngster called ‘Brain Space for Jevaughn’, and it has only has only raised US$125 (J$17,157) so far. Persons wishing to donate may also make their contribution to Vashtina Hyre’s Scotiabank account number: 817935, Santa Cruz branch.