This little heart has too much to bear

By Kumudini Hettiarachchi

Cuddling his mother, toddler Vimukthi Sasthrika, hides his face in her bosom and slowly peeps out mischievously, giving a wisp of a shy smile. Bare-bodied and only wearing a pair of shorts, the moment he turns, the eyes are drawn to something which is not right about his chest.

His chest seems to be protruding unnaturally. Babage herdaye prashna atak thiyenawa, says his mother, A.L. Inoka Nilakshani, 33, explaining that there are eight problems with Vimukthi’s heart. His medical file is full of reports from doctors and the black and white strips that are echocardiograms.

And sadly time may be running out for him, if these humble parents cannot get together enough money to take the toddler to India soon, because the type of operation that Vimukthi needs cannot be performed here.

For them the target collection seems impossible -- Rs. 750,000 for Vimukthi’s operation and 28-day stay in the hospital in Chennai and another Rs. 250,000 for air-tickets and costs for his mother and father.

The personal finances of the family, consisting of father, mother, eight-year-old sister and Vimukthi, are hardly adequate to see them through each month. His father, S.H.P. Nilantha Ranasinghe, is a daily worker at a noodles and pappadam factory close to their home in Makewita, Ja-ela.

“When he works every single day from 8 in the morning to 11.30 in the night, not even taking a day off on poya, Sunday or any other holiday, packing noodles and pappadam, he is able to bring home Rs. 15,000,” says Inoka, adding that considering their plight, her sister and family offered to share their home with them, as earlier they were paying Rs. 2,250 as rent. With Vimukthi falling ill more often, Nilantha’s job too is at stake.

The day The Sunday Times visited Vimukthi and Inoka, the child was at the Gampaha Hospital being treated for pneumonia. “It was also here that he was born,” recalls Inoka explaining that two days after his birth the doctors gently told her that they wanted to keep him for a few extra days because there was a “papuwe saddayak” (a noise in his chest).

The Consultant Paediatrician directed them to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children where he underwent several tests including an echocardiogram (ECG). On learning that Vimukthi had a “herdaya vasthuve amaruwak” (a problem with his heart), life took a drastic turn for this family.

A battery of tests later and visits also to Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital and a private hospital, they were faced with the reality that the operation Vimukthi needed could not be performed here. When Vimukthi was about eight months old they noticed the protrusion of his chest.

Hathiya (laboured breathing) has been a part of his tiny life for Vimukthi and many have been the visits to the Gampaha Hospital. He has already fallen victim to pneumonia three times in his short life. “When he was 45 days, he got pneumonia and we were in hospital for one and a half months,” laments Inoka, praising the staff of the Gampaha Hospital for their care and kindness.

Every single night is looked on with dread by Inoka as she has to see her little one toss and turn, unable to sleep. “Kendiri ganava,” she says with a shudder explaining that he keeps groaning. The fear for her son’s life is tangible, as Inoka struggles to still her sobs and as the problems aggravate, the urgency for action looms large.

Otherwise, “herdaya akriya wenava”, she weeps, explaining that the heart will stop. That is why these humble parents are pleading for your assistance. “We have got Rs. 145,000 from the President’s Fund, Rs. 100,000 from Ceylinco and with small donations from well-wishers it adds up to Rs. 300,000,” says Inoka, but a simple calculation shows that they have a long, long way to go, even though in this country some may spend a cool Rs. 100,000 on a night at a club or pocket out a colossal Rs. 25 million for a state-of-the-art vehicle.

As time is slowly ticking by and Vimukthi and his family struggle to put up a brave smile as he reaches his second birthday on April 22, his parents are in despair. Karadarayak vunuth pasuthevili venna veneva, murmurs Inoka adding that if trouble befalls them there will be so much recrimination.

And her plea, as she hugs her little son closer is: “Every cent counts……..please, please help us to keep Vimukthi alive.”