Last hope lies in miracle
But Steve is adamant that he does ‘‘in no way expect my problem’’ to be New Zealand’s. He has offered to pay for any and all of Ethan’s medical costs.
Steve has also confirmed that Ethan would not take the kidney of any Kiwi waiting on the transplant list as he, his wife Joan and their eldest son Travis have all been tested and can donate their kidneys to Ethan if ever required. However, the von Metzingers appear to be caught in a catch 22-situation as Ministry of Health rules mean it is not possible to pay for a kidney transplant in New Zealand.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Dylan Moran said: ‘‘You cannot undertake a privately paid operation in a New Zealand public hospital, and the Ministry is not aware of any private facilities which carry out kidney transplants in New Zealand’’.
Steve is frustrated by all the red tape and said: ‘‘Stop dealing with us on paper, sit down face-toface and see who we are’’. The family initially left South Africa after they became targets of violent criminals. The prospect of returning has therefore been a major cause of concern – especially for mumJoan, who suffers from PTSD.
They have approached Minister of Health David Clark in his role as MP for Dunedin North, but the case has landed on the doorstep of Associate Immigration Minister, Kris Faafoi, who is yet to make a decision.
The family’s last hope now lies in an online petition on Change.org that has garnered almost 20,000 signatures to keep the family in New Zealand. Thousands of people have left comments on the petition’s page asking the Government to keep the family in New Zealand.
Among those was Sesli Tahilanu who wrote ‘‘I am signing this because my mother got denied residency for the same reason. She died shortly after returning home’’.
But it’s Ethan’s primary school teacher, Emma Knopp, whose message captured the situation perfectly. ‘‘I taught this beautiful boy. He is a kind and caring (and also well individual). His Mother did so much for our school as a volunteer, and they are truly gorgeous ‘givers’. I too fear for what they will face when back in South Africa. His father is able to fund the surgery if required so where is the problem here?
‘‘Please have a heart immigration. #feeling flabbergasted that we are trying so hard to teach kids compassion and our leaders do this...’’