"When the doctors said that my wife and baby are healthy, I felt we were the most blessed people on earth. Hardly a week had passed after his birth, suddenly he struggled to breathe and his skin turned blue completely. I have never seen something like this before. I thought he was dying. I stood numb. My wife was almost on the verge of fainting. I still couldn’t believe that my baby has heart disease.” - Arun.

Baby's pulmonary valve is absent and has big holes in the heart

Arun and Ramya took the baby to the local hospital. They were asked to take to a bigger hospital. By the time they reached the hospital baby's oxygen level came down. This baby boy was diagnosed with a very complex problem where the pulmonary valve that regulates the blood flow to the lungs is absent. Adding to the severity, he also has big holes in the heart.

"I'm not educated, I do not understand the complications, but all I know is that my son's life is in danger. Baby is not breastfeeding long, he struggles to breathe within few minutes. Doctors said that my son needs surgery at the earliest, any delay would lead to completely non-treatable condition and turn fatal. I fear that my baby is slipping away from me slowly."

Only a surgery can help the baby to survive but parents cannot afford it

Ramya has not yet come out from the shock. She feels totally helpless when the baby cries uncontrollably. Every time the baby turns blue and struggles to breathe, she runs to hospital. She is heartbroken because nothing can help her baby's pain except for the surgery which she cannot afford.

"I do not know what to do, I have nothing left in my hands. I'm asking for help to everyone I knew, they give me maximum Rs 1000. Some even say not to spend money on surgery because it is uncertain that he can survive it. They are not educated, they tell me to accept my fate but I can't even imagine losing him. His smile is what gives me hope, I'm sure he will be completely cured, I'm willing to do anything to save him."

Mother has promised her daughter that she will be back home with the little one but fear of losing him is choking her to death

Arun and Ramya are staying in Vyasarpadi, Chennai. They have a 3-year-old daughter Abinaya. She is now in her grandmother's place. Abinaya cries for her parents and she is longing to play with her little brother. Ramya consoles her daughter saying that she will be back home soon with her little one, but she is dying inside.

How you can help

Arun is a daily wage worker. There are days where he can't find any job. If he works he gets Rs 400-500 per day which is not enough for a surgery that costs Rs. 3 lakhs. Ramy and Arun's son is losing time every day and he needs this surgery at the earliest to live for his 1st birthday.