Saimithran changed when he turned 12. It was early 2017, and after having a high fever for weeks, he suddenly got aggressive one day. One could’ve thought it was just a pre-teen rebellious phase, but it only got worse as the days passed by. He would scream and throw things on the floor. He would get so angry, that he would even try and hit his parents when they tried to calm him down. His parents didn’t understand what was happening – this wasn’t like their mild-mannered, polite and loving child. They were terrified of him on some days. Little did they know then that his mood swings and anger were caused by a rare, dangerous disease.

The young boy has no recollection of his violent behaviour 

It all began when Saimithran suddenly fell sick and started vomiting frequently. He took medicines, but nothing helped. Suddenly, he became very irritable. Initially, his parents thought it was because of the high dosage of medicines. He even started losing weight. Saradha and Raja took him to several hospitals but nobody could tell them why it was happening.  After a long wait of 5 months, he was diagnosed with Type 2 Citrin deficiency, a rare disorder that occurs due to liver damage. It causes ammonia and other toxic substances to accumulate in the blood.  It affects the nervous system, causing confusion, restlessness, memory loss, abnormal behaviors (such as aggression, irritability, and hyperactivity), seizures, and coma.

"When we take him to hospital, he starts behaving violently. He tries to jump off from the vehicle. when we try to hold his hands and legs, he would hit us, but he hardly remembers any of this after few hours. When we ask him why he hit us he would start crying. He understands something is wrong with him. It is so painful to watch him suffer." - Raja.

Saimithran, before the disease took over him completely

His parents are trying to stay brave for him

Saimithran's violent behaviour has reduced considerably but not fully. Even at such a young age, he can understand his parents' struggles despite his condition. He once asked his mother, "Amma, am I troubling you a lot? I feel bad that you and appa are sad because of me." Saradha realized that he is observing everything around him keenly and since then she made sure to be happy in front of him, for him. She has promised him that he'll be back to school soon. She constantly gives him hope that he can clear his exams and he'll be promoted to 10th grade next year. However, Saimithran needs a liver transplant to survive.

A liver transplant is the only way to save him but his parents can't afford it

Saimithran is under heavy medications. The dreadful symptoms are under control now but it is only temporary. He needs a liver transplant without which his disease would only get worse and affect his brain. But with Raja's meager income he cannot afford it. He works as a graphic designer in a small institute. After Saimithran's diagnosis, he has started taking freelancing projects and works day and night but all he gets is only few thousands. His wife Saradha was taking tuitions to manage the household expense but now she has devoted all her attention to Sai. Every passing day is a risk to his life without a liver transplant. Your contribution can make the transplant possible and gift him a normal life.