Little Ashfaq needs help
By Nadia Fazlulhaq and Isuri
Kaviratne
He wanders around the house watching the other
kids play and sing. But there is something that sets Ashfaq apart
from other children. This lovely little boy has an unusual growth
behind his head and due to its weight, he is forced to look up almost
all the time.
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Little Ashfaq |
Mohamed Ashfaq is now five years old. Formation
of the brain outside the skull is the rare condition that he has
been diagnosed with and he needs to undergo urgent brain surgery.
"He has had this from birth. We consulted
late Dr. Dhammika Jayawickrama of the Kandy Hospital and were advised
that he should undergo brain surgery. But the doctor said that there
was much risk when it's done in Sri Lanka. That was when our son
was a newborn. Today he is five years old and we want to do this
surgery even in India immediately," says Ashfaq's father Ayub
Khan.
His parents took Ashfaq to India and Dr. Krishnamurthy
Sridhar of Malar Hospital had advised that the operation should
be done when the child was three years. But lack of funds forced
them to postpone the operation.
Ashfaq has a younger sister Farah who is one-year-old.
She holds her brother's hand and tries to walk. Both giggle and
laugh as they play in their own imaginary world.
"He understands what we say and do, and loves
to dance when he hears songs. Though he is at an age to attend school
we haven't decided on studies or anything else until the operation
is performed," says Fazilah, Ashfaq's mother.
The income Ayub Khan earns as a small businessman,
though sufficient for the family's daily needs is insufficient for
the operation which is estimated to cost around Rs.1.3 million.
"The Presidential Fund granted a sum of Rs.250,
000 and it brought hopes of trying hard to get our son cured,"
said Ayub Khan as his eyes fill with tears.
Ashfaq's parents are hoping against hope that
generous donors would help financially to cover the expenses for
the surgery. Donations could be made to A/C 80 400 38 357 at the
Commercial Bank, Kandy branch.Ashfaq and his family lives at 8A,
Thelumgahawatte, Akurana, Kandy. Ayub Khan can be contacted at Tel.081-4926349.
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