Story From Mahottari
In the heart of Mahottari, a district in the Terai region of Nepal, a two-year-old boy’s journey from illness to hope reflects the power of community support and compassionate healthcare. The child, the third in his family and the only son of hardworking farmers, became the center of his family’s world as they watched him grow. But their joy soon turned to worry when they noticed an alarming bulging in his right eye, accompanied by a white reflex that didn’t fade. Concerned, the parents initially took him to a local hospital, where after a thorough examination, the doctors referred them to Tilganga Eye Hospital for further diagnosis.
At Tilganga, the family was faced with a difficult reality: their son was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the eye. This news was devastating for the parents, who were already stretched thin due to their modest means and rural background. However, the medical team quickly devised a plan to treat their son, sending him to Kanti Children’s Hospital in Kathmandu for systemic chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the tumor had progressed to a stage where his right eye needed to be surgically removed, a procedure called enucleation.
Mahottari Village
Though the surgery was crucial to saving his life, it came with its own set of financial challenges. The costs were steep, but thanks to a local fund, part of the surgery was covered. The family, however, still found themselves financially drained from their extended stay in Kathmandu for treatment, and the future appeared uncertain. At the time, they never imagined the difficulties they would face in covering the cost of post-surgery care.
Following the surgery, the child was fitted with a stock shell prosthesis, a standard option for those who have undergone enucleation. While it was functional, it lacked the personalization and comfort that a custom-fit prosthesis could offer. The family, already struggling to make ends meet, could not afford the cost of a more advanced prosthesis, which was priced at Rs 15,000—a sum far beyond their reach after the heavy expenses of travel, stay, and treatment.
However, hope arrived when Open Eyes Global, an Australia-based organization dedicated to improving eye care in Nepal, stepped in. Through their generous sponsorship, the boy received a custom-fit prosthesis, crafted to match the appearance of a natural eye and provide more comfort for the child. The prosthesis was provided free of charge, a gift that alleviated a significant burden from the family’s shoulders. Without this support, they would have been unable to afford the more personalized option, and the child would have continued with the stock prosthesis that offered limited comfort and function.
For the family, this was a turning point. After spending every last bit of their savings on his medical treatment, the gift of a custom prosthesis not only restored the child’s appearance but also provided a sense of dignity and hope for the future. The parents were overwhelmed with gratitude, knowing that without the generous support from Open Eyes Global, their son would have had to continue with a less-than-ideal solution.
This young boy’s story is one of survival against all odds. From the devastating diagnosis of Retinoblastoma to the support of compassionate organizations like Open Eyes Global, he is now living a life free from disease, with a prosthesis that restores his appearance and confidence. His journey, though fraught with challenges, is a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion, and the willingness of organizations and communities to come together to support those in need.
For this family, the road has not been easy, but with the right help at the right time, their son now has a bright future ahead, one where he can grow up free from the fear and pain that once threatened his life.