Any Donations, ideas and services gratefully received
The Larnaca Parents Network (LPN) are requesting assistance in fundraising for a young boy requiring a private brain scan.
The child – who appears to be suffering from multiple issues – comes from a single-parent family who receive no state assistance and have no family in Cyprus, and very little family back in the UK.
Due to the child's age, the window for diagnosis is limited and it may take up to a year and half to obtain the brain scan through the national health service, therefore having a private scan is the only option at this time, but one that the family cannot afford.
The initial scan would cost in the region of €600, and if a further scan is required, the cost for this would be around €1000.
At present, the boy attends school and is in a class for children with issues, but the school and mother are both struggling to cope as the issues accelerate and a diagnosis becomes imperative.
Sharon McKinley – founder of the LPN says: "The boy is not suffering from a terminal disease, but none-the-less, the situation is critical and time is of the essence is diagnosing him and then receiving the correct therapy or treatment. The mother is an active, working mother of the community who offers her time and services willingly whenever we have fundraising events, and now it is our turn to assist her in her hour of need."
A former teacher of the child explained that whilst the boy receives counselling sessions through the recommendation of the school, these have so far been very sporadic with many months in between appointments and zero progress made. She added that the boy appears to be stuck in the system with no one taking the issue as seriously as it is, or offering any real help.
A friend of the family also says that this situation needs urgent attention: "The mother struggles alone to not only deal with the challenges the boy poses, but to also keep the family afloat with what work she can get. She is not comfortable with asking others for help but is in desperate need of it. This is a child genuinely in need of treatment - who is being drastically failed by the system - and who, without a correct diagnosis, cannot start the healing process. A brain scan can quickly and unequivocally offer a diagnosis or at least rule out certain conditions."
Sharon says that whilst donations are most welcome, she knows that times are tough for everyone: "We would love to receive monetary donations, but I know that people are stretched to their limit, therefore, we are also open to ideas for fundraising events, as well as donations of products, services and time to make this happen. The mother is keen for people to get something in return for their donation, which is why she would like to arrange an event whereby donators enjoy a day out in exchange for their help. Alternatively, it would be fantastic if any doctors were willing to offer their services to the family as a community service. I urge anyone who can help to get in touch with us so that we can help a family that is genuinely suffering and needs the support and kindness of the community."
If you can assist in any way, please email the LPN on: info@larnacaparentsnetwork.com.
First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly 26/09/14
