Young mother pleads for Marcus Aurelius

By Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY -- The plea this week-end comes from Kristine Carla Molina, a 24-year old mother who knew her nine-month old son, Marcus Aurelius, was already afflicted with hydrocephalus before he was born. Khristine learned this through ultra-sound before she delivered her second boy through caesarian section.

“She was shocked at first but learned to accept it when he was born,” wrote social welfare aide Janine Abalos in a social case study report.

The toddler, also born with a bilateral clubfoot, is into frequent convulsions.

Hydrocephalus, derived from the Greek words “hydro (water) and “cephalus” (head), is due to excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain, resulting in the enlargement of the head.

Occurrence is estimated at one in every 1,000 live births, and treatment includes implantation of a cerebral shunt to drain the cerebrospinal fluid.

Baby Marcus Aurelius’ case, however is so delicate that brain surgeons couldn’t advise shunting procedure.

He’s been on highly restricted, expensive drugs, as reflected in the prescription forms Kristine attached to the social worker’s report.

Unable to sustain their kid’s medication, Kristine and husband Joselito, a family driver, signed a note to have his case published, so Samaritans may know and respond. With it was a picture of the boy.
Its own resources limited due to daily requests for financial support, the city social welfare and development office allotted P2,000 from its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation and referred Marcus Aurelius’ case to other institutions.

Contributors may visit the baby at 15-O Calla Lily Compound, Sandico St. (behind the YMCA of Baguio), or call Kristine at 09054218260 or Joselito at 09151195758.

Meanwhile, things are looking up for 17-year old Rosanna Divino, who needs a brace to check the progression of scoliosis that’s shaping her fragile figure like an inverted “S).

A teacher, herself a victim of the spinal deformity, offered to help raise the P17,000 needed for the brace.

She wants to meet Rosanna, who was into her periodic exams as a freshman architecture student when called last week.

It was not clear whether she’s the same person who contacted newsman Thom Picana, bureau chief of The Manila Times, also about wanting to meet and help the girl.

From his base in southern Germany , former world traditional karate champion Julian Chees e-mailed: “Shoshin (a foundation for ailing kids his martial arts students established) would like to help handle it when I come first week of August.

If it’s much needed now, then I can send it like last time for Mr. Langpawen through (fund) transfer , although it’s not always Speedy Gonzales.”

He was referring to another patient whose surgery for spinal injury Shoshin supported.