Mother makes desperate appeal for help for her son

The mother of a 25-year-old man is appealing to the public to make donations to enable her son to have surgery to correct damage to his spine.{{more}}

Jacinta Richards said about six weeks ago, her son Ashford Richards of Diamond, was hospitalized after complaining of lower back pain.

Jacinta said doctors told her that whatever injury he had suffered resulted from heavy lifting while working as a handyman during the Christmas season. She said doctors told her he would have to undergo remedial surgery in Trinidad and Tobago to repair the damage to his spine.

The mother, however, says the cost of the surgery, estimated at US$7,000 is beyond her means. She also has to first raise funds for a CT scan.

Although Ashford was unable to walk when he was admitted to the MCMH, the injury seems to be worsening, as his muscles now seem to be affected and he is now bedridden.

Jacinta is appealing to the Vincentian public for help to pay for the surgery, so that her son can walk again. She said the thought of him being wheelchair bound for the rest of his life is something she is unable to even think of.

Account number 10000-9230001 has been set up at the Bank of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Jacinta may be contacted at 526-5394.