By Viju Mangalore for Daijiworld News Network
Mangalore, Mar 21: They had hope that their son would improve someday. It was this ‘hope factor’ that was abundant but finances low.
Calvin today is seven years old and the joy of his parents, Charles and Linet has no bounds as they have witness each day the gradual improvement in their child.
It was in a desperate state that the parents knocked the door of Daijiworld to get help for their five-year-old Calvin who suffers from Hypothyroidism, a deficiency caused by a malfunctioning endocrine system.
One needs to recall that Calvin was a vegetable totally dependent on his parents who left no stone unturned to provide him the care and love. He had come a long way. Once immobile and speechless, he had better motor abilities and is beginning to use monosyllables. But his troubles were far from over. During the routine investigation, it was found that Calvin had a hole in the heart, a condition knows as Atrial Septal Defect and Patent Ductus Artereosus. He needed surgery. But having spent over Rs 4 lac on his hypothyroid problem, Calvin’s parent Charles and Linet did not have enough money for treatment.
But the generosity of Daijiworld readers, who came forward wholeheartedly and very willingly to support any appeal put on the site for Calvin D’Mello, has changed the course of his life. Daijiworld readers rose to the occasion and amount of Rs 1.25 lac was collected which helped Calvin undergo the heart surgery at Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore.
Once after the surgery Calvin has shown remarkable improvement. Although his speech is delayed, his IQ is high. Relentless has been the efforts taken by parents who carried him everyday for physiotherapy sessions to Mangalore from Mundkur, Karkala.
“His health has come back to normal and is under treatment for epilepsy. Speech too has tremendous development. Although partly non coherent is able to use monosyllables. He has turned out to be very affectionate and loving,” testifies Charles.
Suffering from Mucopolysaccharides Calvin has already undergone a dental procedure and even a surgery for Hydrocele.
“Our efforts have never gone in vain,” shares Charles who along with Linet have only one goal in life-to see their child grow normally.
While schooling is what would greatly help Calvin to socialize and be independent, both the parents have decided to get him admitted to a Balavadi. However the nearly Balavadi is 2.5 kms away. Further seven-year-old Calvin has grown and is too heavy to be carried like before.
The family, which has an undeterred hope that Calvin will live a normal life, wants him to be educated which will bring him to the mainstream. As he cannot sit with stability on a two-wheeler, the only option left is to purchase a vehicle (Even second hand / old) for which the family needs financial assistance.
The milk of human kindness has flown and we hope would flow again for little Calvin.
Your contribution can make this happen. Your payments may be drawn towards ‘Charles D’Mello, SB A/C No 14369, Corporation Bank, Poonja Arcade, Mangalore, and sent on this address:
Mr Charles D’Mello
Thakode House
Post Mundkur
Karkala Taluk
Pin Code 576121
Tel: 0091-8258 - 267405 or Mobile No 9448337843 (between 10 am to 5 pm)
History:
Article published on daijiworld on 27.10.2003 (Total Rs 1.25lac raised)