Child born with hole in heart needs help

Airman First Class Jonard Cahilig of the Philippine Air Force thought he was bound to be the father of a gymnast or ballerina when his first child was born with unusually flexible extremities.

Sometimes, Jonard and his wife Minfi would find 10-month-old Jonah Macxine asleep with her legs split apart. Both of Jonah’s legs could even be bent sideways.

"You can even put her foot around her neck. She can suck her toes. It was fun to see her doing that," the father said in Filipino.

Little did the couple know that their daughter had developed Ehler-danlos syndrome (EDS), a disorder that affects connective tissues causing fragile skin and unstable joints.

But prior to this, little Jonah’s condition was already delicate after her heart was discovered to have a hole, Minfi said.

Jonah’s heart ailment must be corrected in order for doctors to attend to her EDS. Otherwise, the girl might not be able to walk or stand.

Jonah will be operated on at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City but this will cost P180,000, excluding post-surgery medicines and other examinations.

The couple’s combined income as a soldier and a contractual employee is not enough to meet Jonah’s needs. They are now deep in debt because of the girl’s condition.

"We appeal to everyone to please help us save my child. We cannot afford this operation but we want her to live and have a normal life," Minfi said.

Jonah’s condition was known 15 days after she was born at a hospital in their hometown of Zamboanga City.

"She was in and out of the hospital. She developed blood infection and pneumonia," the mother recalled. Her doctors advised that Jonah be brought to Manila for thorough examination and treatment.

The charity ward of the V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City has since then become the home of the Cahilig family for more than a month now. They had to give up the house they were renting in Zamboanga City.

"When the doctors saw Jonah, they did not allow us to go home. They advised that it would be better that she undergoes heart surgery soon," Minfi said.

Jonah is also suffering now from severe reflux that causes her to always vomit. She is at present hooked up to an oxygen tank and she can hardly take solid food.

The mother said Jonah might undergo CT scan as she is suspected to have a cyst in her lungs. "But our priority now is her heart operation. Unless this is done, her life is always at risk."

Those who wish to help Jonah may call Jonard at (0920)523-6525 or "Operation Damayan" coordinator Melita Dioso at 527-79-01 to 10. — Sheila Crisostomo