Our life changed when Keona Marie Vella turned two – Chris Vella

“Our lives changed when Keona Marie Vella turned two.” These were the words of Chris Vella the father of Keona Marie.

Mr Vella told The Malta Independent that when his daughter, who today is nine years old, was a toddler she started to suffer from a rare epilepsy. This condition continued to get worse when Keona Marie turned five.

He said: “there were many instances were we had to rush her to hospital because she would need medical assistance.”

Mr Vella said that a number of tests and brain scans were carried out at Mater Dei Hospital, and last year, it was decided that Keona Marie be sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. In this hospital which specialises in paediatric care, the little girl spent the last year shuttling back and forth between Malta and London to try and identify what is causing these epileptic fits.

With a broken heart the father told this newsroom that since her first fit, Rita Vella his wife, and he himself barely slept during the night because Keona Marie mainly suffers from them during the night.

Mr Vella said that in Malta there were times where the girl had to stay in hospital for months.

“The biggest fear our wife and I have is that Keona Marie does not emerge out of the epileptic fit; in fact at home we have an oxygen cylinder and other medications which help her to calm down.”

Mr Vella added that the last four months were very difficult because she was regularly suffering from these attacks.

The Vella family said that they are well aware that this difficult patch in their lives will not be over soon however they said that the positive vibe that they have as a family will help them surpass this medical problem.

This newsroom also spoke to the little girl who said that when she is in hospital she misses a lot her brother and sister. Koena Marie wanted to thank the medical staff of Mater Dei and Great Ormond Street Hospital for the care they give her and wanted to make sure to tell us that she always obeys them.

During this year the Vella family found a lot of support from the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation and Puttinu Cares together with the Malta House staff. They said that if it wasn’t for them this would have never been possible.