Why every day is a ‘birthday’ for Julian
LIFE IS A GIFT FOR TODDLER RECOVERING FROM BRAIN SURGERY
■ on one gloomy day when her boy was in acute pain after undergoing a procedure to remove extra fluid in his brain.
But little did she realise the impact it would have on the forum’s members. They instantly reached out to her, praying for Julian and offering to sit with them and cook for them. Even the cake that Julian cut on his ‘special’ birthday was baked by a mum from the forum.
The heartwarming experience prompted her to start a dedicated online forum called The Story of a Little Hero for parents faced with similar challenges.
She said: “It’s just an informal Facebook page where they can speak their mind, express fears, find possible answers and raise awareness about rare medical conditions among children. The idea came to me when I began receiving messages from mothers whose kids are suffering from rare diseases.
“Julian’s tumour was diagnosed after we visited seven doctors. If only I had known his gait imbalance — the only symptom he presented — was related to a brain tumour, I could have got him treated earlier and spared him lifethreatening complications.”
Nermine said Julian’s surgery is behind them now. “It went off well and he is back home. He has started taking his first firm steps. I am a proud mother of a brave boy.”