ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Severely disabled boy, 2, could use new clothing
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
"C.Y." is the single parent of a severely disabled 2-year-old boy, who was abused by his father.
A victim of shaken baby syndrome at age 4 months, the boy has so many physical problems that he's being treated by seven different doctors.
"The doctors were straightforward with me and told me my son would be like an infant for the rest of his life," 26-year-old C.Y. said. "They said he wouldn't be able to walk, talk or hold up his head.
"He's doing good. He's very verbal but it's only baby talk. The therapist is teaching him to crawl with his head up and about a month ago, he started to hold up his head."
Caring for her son is a full-time job.
The boy has at least three appointments with doctors per month and takes four different prescription drugs.
"Just one medication costs $120 a month," she said.
Federal assistance pays her son's medical bills and C.Y. lives on what she gets from welfare.
Clothing for her son — toddler size 4-5 — is C.Y.'s most pressing need. For herself, C.Y. only wants her Christmas wish to come true.
"I want my son to crawl to me with his head up," she said.
Our anonymous Santa has generously offered once again this year to match the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund. Checks made payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund" should be mailed to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817.
Monetary donations may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804.
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Recent donations
- Jennifer Gomez $10
- Eryn Kanani & Noah Makana $20
- R.T. and Leiko Murakami $20
- James Harkness $25
- In Loving Memory of William J. & Ruth E. Mertz $25
- Victor and Maureen Kreck $25
- Rush Nishijima $25
- Jack and Vera Palk $25
- Dorothy and Keith Sasada $25
- John and Rosamond Sullivan $25
- Keith and Betty Kenworthy $35
- Assistance League of Honolulu $50
- Kathy Sears $50
- Skye & Coll Stodden $50
- Alice Yasutake $50
- Walter and Jeanne Davis $100
- Mary Louise and James Edington $100
- Glenn and Karen Hamada $100
- In Memory of Yeiko Tokairin $100
- Ralph and Joyce Hook $150
- In Memory of Henry A. Walker Jr. $400
- Anonymous $25
- Anonymous $50
- Anonymous $100
Total $1,585
Total to date $19,369.75
