"He was about 7-years-old when he started throwing up. I thought it was normal and then by a few weeks, he started vomiting his entire meal, every meal, all day long. He began to lose weight drastically. He went through every test imaginable. The doctors were baffled, they could see that his kidneys were failing and his blood count was critically low but they didn't know why. Finally, we took him to a bigger hospital and he was diagnosed with a rare disease and that's when our whirlwind began. It has been 2 years, my son has almost forgot what it is to live without pain. I can't bear this." - Shiju, Jeswin's father.
His parents thought it was a viral fever, but it turned out to be a life-threatening disease
Jeswin, a very calm and active boy, suddenly fell sick and was throwing up uncontrollably. When his condition worsened with time, his parents thought it was a viral fever, but they were wrong. Jeswin was diagnosed with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a life-threatening disease that causes abnormal blood clots to form in small vessels in the kidneys.
"He underwent the painful dialysis 12 times at that tender age, he became very weak. He used to have unbearable stomach pain. He would lay curled up on his bed and not move for hours. However, with time, his condition began to improve. But just when we were beginning to feel hopeful about his future, those familiar and dreadful symptoms started again. We can't bear to see him go through so much of pain. He has started dialysis again to keep the disease under control." - Asha, Mother.
Without treatment, Jeswin's kidneys will be completely damaged and they will lose him forever
Jeswin is the youngest child of Shiju and Asha. He has two elder brothers Jestin (13) and Jefin (3). Asha has left her two sons at home and their grandmother takes care of them. Jeswin misses being at home and going to school. He thinks he is in the hospital because he vomits often, but he has a long, painful journey ahead to fight this terrible disease. He needs to take dialysis, frequent injections and regular blood tests without which he will not survive.
"He has no visible symptoms but we can see what the disease is doing to him. He is losing all his energy. He is often tired and confused. He has constant abdominal pain and diarrhea. My son has always been very calm and understanding, this disease has made him even more silent. He hardly talks. He can't even play with his brothers. he is slowly realizing that something is wrong with him. I don't have the courage to explain the complications of this disease to him. I can't tell him that he will die without treatment." - Asha.
His parents have spent everything they had on his treatment and have nothing left to save his life
Despite their poverty, Shiju has tried his best to get his son treated. They have made sure to not skip dialysis and injections on any day. It is only because of their persistence and Jeswin's fighting spirit that they have made it this far. However, they know the severity of the disease and are in constant fear that they might be forced to stop his treatment because of lack of funds. Any delay in the continuity of the treatment can lead to severe damage of the kidneys and can turn fatal too.
"I'm only an auto driver and I earn Rs 500 a day. While I'm struggling to even make my ends meet, to provide this expensive treatment is unimaginable. But I cannot give up on him. I've already borrowed Rs 3 lakhs from my friend a year, and I haven't even paid it back. I spent 3 lakhs in the last 2 weeks. Now I have no one to turn for help. Now, we are staying at a relative's place to save some money, but I don't know how long we can continue to do it. I feel completely lost. " Shiju.
How you can help
9-year-old Jeswin has a rare disease due to which his kidneys are failing and his blood count is dropping drastically. His father, an auto driver, is neck-deep in debts and has nothing left to save his son. Jeswin needs prolonged treatment to survive. This little boy is in unbearable pain and he needs your help to fight this rare disease and live a normal life.Your kind contribution can save this 9-year-old Jeswin's life.
Supporting Document
The specifics of this case have been verified by the medical team at the concerned hospital. For any clarification on the treatment or associated costs, contact the campaign organizer or the medical team.Click here to save Jeswin
