More Challenges Ahead for Baby Marlon

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You & Your Family

Saturday, 10 November 2012 02:30

By Carol Williams

Antigua St. John's - Potters resident Sharon Kirby is more upbeat these days.

Her 14-month-old son Marlon Williams Jnr, who has Down’s Syndrome, is faring much better after his last visit to Barbados in late September for medical care.

Though Marlon is said to have 20/20 vision in his right eye, the left one remains a problem, and he has been prescribed glasses after successful cataract surgeries several months ago.

"He's doing much better and because he had three surgeries already they said don't trouble the kidney because he needs to grow," Kirby said.

During her last trip, doctors opted not to perform any procedures to try to shift Marlon's left kidney into the right position, a condition called ectopic kidney.

Kirby explained that the decision was due to her son's small size; he weighs 15 pounds.

Since her return she has been taking the toddler to the Mt St John's Medical Centre regularly for rehabilitation to help improve his functions.

"He's not sitting, he's not walking or anything … so we go to the hospital every day for rehab," she said. "He has a lot of complications, so we just have to pray and monitor it all the time."

She thanked the St James' Club, Seventh Day Adventist Churches, Kiwanis Club and Epicurean Supermarket, as well as members of the public for their donations.

"It really helped me because if they didn't help, I wouldn't be where I am today," she said.

Kirby is due to return to Barbados next year March for further evaluation of her son.

People interested in making financial contributions can do so at ABIB under the Marlon Williams Jnr Medical Fund account number 400335815.

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