I was passed on this story from a friend of mine. It’s an incredible and heartbreaking story of struggle and you can help write the happy ending.
Sixteen-month old Denis can’t grip his toys like most children because his fingers have been fused together since birth. His head frequently hurts from the pressure of his malformed skull. His skull is unable to grow at the same rate as his brain. Denis is a beautiful little boy who needs our help in order to survive…. Denis has Alpert syndrome, a congenital disorder that causes his skull plates to fuse too early, while his infantile brain is growing rapidly. This results in a malformation of his skull, face, and hands. Without a special surgery, Denis will not live. But all it takes is that one major surgery, and Denis will be able to continue looking forward to his favorite time of the day (bath time), attending school, and being read books by his two older brothers.
Denis’s family is facing many hurdles: Russia does not have an effective insurance system, Denis’s father is working two jobs to care for his 3 children, and because of Denis’s condition, his mother has had to stay home to provide extra care. Financially, it is incredibly difficult for them to afford the surgery their precocious little boy needs. Thankfully, a wonderful team of craniofacial and neurological surgeons (that includes my brother-in-law) at William Beaumont Hospital, Michigan are willing to commit their time and efforts for free for Denis. Moreover, my parents have volunteered to house and help with translation and transportation for Denis and his mother during their stay in the U.S.
The surgery (that will separate the skull plates to allow for normal growth, development and improvement in appearance) still comes with high hospital costs, as assisting staff, supplies, and overhead need to be covered. Initial post-surgery care will also be expensive, as Denis will need a special head piece/crown to ensure the separated skull plates will stay in place during recovery.
One of complications of Denis’s condition is that he has sleep apnea (he stops breathing in his sleep). The Russian doctors told Denis’s mom to just accept the fact that Denis could die in his sleep. Instead she came up with a technique, where she inserts a tube that helps Denis breathe during the night. She wakes up many times during the night to adjust the tube and ensure Denis is breathing well. This brave woman was fighting for her son’s life, even when there was little hope for the future. Because of her efforts Denis is now set to receive surgery and treatment that will fix his skull and improve his breathing. Let’s help her in her fight for this precious boy’s chance for a full and a productive life. Help us raise the money to make sure Denis grows up into the loving, caring human being he has thus far shown himself to be. A team of surgeons from Beaumont Hospital are waiting to help Denis, which is already a gift in the right direction. Denis’s family has already raised $40,000 toward the $100,000 Hospital cost. Let’s help them with the remaining $60,000!
The cost will include:
Facility Fee,
Facial distractor
Craniofacial surgery
Neurosurgery
Hand surgery*
Anesthesia
Denis will also require a 3D CT scan, consultation with pediatrician, and other various tests and consults prior to any surgical intervention.
*Hand surgery will be performed if the doctors determine it to be safe to do it at the same time as the head surgery.
They’re currently at just over $13,000 and need $60,000. Help contribute to the cause by checking out the site and donating HERE
Show the world what this community is capable of!
Thank you,
Mike
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