BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A few weeks ago, Kamoy Liburd received a shocking and heart-wrenching news from a doctor that the daughter she raised for some six years had a life-threatening ailment.
And like any other loving parent, Liburd was struck with grief and sorrow and worried over the possibility of losing the little girl.
She however received some hope when she decided to reach out to the general public to assist in funding her daughter’s operation.
Her daughter, a vibrant little girl named G’Neika, is said to be suffering from a tumor on her brain.
It all began when Kamoy started noticing that G’Neika was walking with her head leaned to the side, and became more concerned when she learned the child was no longer doing well at school.
“My aunt came home and said that the teacher said she is not doing well at school, and that is not like her. This was first when we realised something was wrong. So I called the teacher and she told me G’Neika is an active child but now she wouldn’t go outside and play and that was not like her. The teacher told me she would be just gazing outside from inside the class like something wrong with her.
“I asked her (G’Neika) what’s wrong with her and she said nothing, and I thought this ain’t like G’Neika. She’s accustomed to do her schoolwork. The teacher also said sometimes she would do her work and other times it’s like she forgets things.”
She explained that one night G’Neika had a scary dream which made her jump out of her sleep and caused a strain in her abdomen.
Following that incident and the previous observations, Liburd’s concern intensified, so she decided to excuse G,Neika from school and took her to see a doctor.
The doctor ran some tests and the results showed that G’Neika was fine, but he recommended a CT scan could be done.
The mother agreed and they did so on Friday, December 21, 2012, and on the following Thursday she went to Dr. Jacobs’ office for the results.
“I went to see Dr. Jacobs and he told me she has a brain tumor and it needs to be treated right away. So when he told me, I was like, ‘Brain tumor? How did my daughter get that?’ A lot of questions were going through my mind and I couldn’t handle the news.
“I got up and started crying and told him I couldn’t listen to anything else. To say I done had her six years and look after her, she was a part of me…it was hard. I called my mom first and we were crying and then I called her father.
“I was going kinda crazy wondering why this was happening and wondering if I was going to lose my child because of this,” she said.
G’Neika was subsequently taken to Antigua, where an MRI was done and it was confirmed that she has a brain tumor.
Family members learnt that the tumor could be removed by surgery in Barbados but would cost US$15 000, which does not include transportation, accommodation and meals for G’neika and her mother.
Not in a position to afford the cost, G’Neika’s family decided to reach out to the public.
With donations to a Scotia Bank account, fundraising initiatives and the outpour of prayers and kind words of sympathy from the public, Kamoy received news that for the first time in weeks gave her a glimmer of hope.
She received a Facebook message about a hospital in Maryland and decided to contact the institution.
“We got into contact with them and explained everything that was going on with the child and they let us know what they could do for us. They explained what they can do and said that they usually do it for free.”
Kamoy said that she is feeling much better about going to Maryland because after the tumor is removed her daughter would also received treatment.
“I was kind of edgy about Barbados. We knew there she would only be able to do the surgery and we still needed somewhere else to send her for treatment. So the people at the hospital in Maryland told us what they’ll do for her and if it turns out to be cancerous they will treat it. Maryland made me feel a little easier to deal with and the stress.”
G’Neika will have to travel to Maryland every three months for treatment for the rest of the year and every six months after that for eight years.
“So the money that has been raised will go for our plane tickets to Maryland,” said the mother.
Kamoy said “thank you” was not enough to relay to the public for their assistance and kindness towards her family.
“Everything is going much better. I didn’t expect that much people to help. I didn’t expect to get that much support. It’s overwhelming and heartwarming and I guess it’s because of G’Neika, because she is the kind of child who would speak to anyone. She is so special. At first it was so stressful. I was wondering why did this happened to my child, thinking about where I would find the money, but week by week it has become easier to deal with.”
A number of bands DJs and other entertainers have decided to come together to host an event on Jan. 26 to help raise funds for G’Neika.
“I was surprised when I heard about the event and was wondering how it would come about. But then I learnt that they would do it for the child and do it for free, and I was thinking, ‘G’Neika means this much to people?’ I really wasn’t expecting all of this. I am greatly thankful. I couldn’t find the money to do this. I am so, so, thankful to everyone…words cannot express my gratitude!”
Kamoy said that G’Neika also seems to be doing much better.
“She stopped walking with her head on the side, she still walks a bit off balance and needs assistance; but before she wasn’t even able to get up. So she walks, but slow and if I’m going somewhere in a hurry I would have to lift her up.”
It was observed during the interview that G’Neika’s head was not leaned to the side and, though, she indicated that she was tired, she still decided to speak with this reporter.
She is a Grade One student at the Violet Petty Primary School and, like any other six-year-old, she enjoys playing with her friends.
G’Neika said she could not wait to return to school and loves playing football. In fact, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said, “A footballer.”
Her mother smiled in admiration and said that when she was five she told her grandmother that she wanted to go to college.
The proud mother said her daughter would go to college once she continues to work hard in school.
“When I first heard she was dropping back in school, I was concerned because I know that’s not her. Because when she was in Kindergarten it was like she was a year ahead. Before this, she was very talkative and would pick conversations with anyone.”
Accounts were established for G’Neika at Scotia Bank under the name ‘PediFund’, with account number 3668, and an Achievers account for children, with account number 10019042. Donations can also be dropped off at the office of Brisbane-O’Garro-Alvaranga on Princes Street, or at Harper's Office Depot on Fort Street, Basseterre.
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