BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT is said that (at times) people should agree to disagree in order to resolve a conflict, especially when the proposing and opposing parties recognise that further controversy would be ineffective, unnecessary and undesirable.
Such is the case of little G’Neika Liburd who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and will be flying out of St. Kitts tomorrow (Jan. 27) for treatment at a medical institution in Maryland, USA.
However, a conflict has arisen between her parents, Kamoy Liburd and Garrel ‘Young G’ Dorsett.
Dorsett has alleged that G’Neika’s mother is claiming that he does not take care of his daughter and is making decisions without him knowing about them.
“This is not the time for this! Both she and I need to focus on G’Neika and her needs,” the father said.
A few weeks ago, Liburd had noticed her six-year-old daughter was walking with her head leaned to the side and became more concerned when she learned that 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.”
Liburd 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.”
The public’s response was highly commendable and, according to Chief medical Officer Dr. Patrick Martin, the Pediatric Assistance League (PALS), Department of Social Services, JNF Pediatrics and the Ministry of Health are collaborating to assist G’Neika and her family.
He noted that initial estimates for the required overseas care ranged from US$15 000 for surgery only to US$80 000 minimum for surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
“Fortunately,” he added, “a hospital in the USA has agreed to provide the initial medical care at minimal charge. What happens thereafter depends on the initial evaluation and treatment. If the tumor is malignant, G’Neika will need radiation therapy and chemotherapy for an extended period.”
Dr. Martin informed that the first goal of raising US$15 000 was achieved through donations by the public to the PALS and Pedifund accounts at the Scotia Bank.
These two accounts, he explained, are specifically for G’Neika’s care.
“Some of the funds donated specifically for G’Neika have been and are being used to defray travel-related expenses such the MRI study done in Antigua, to Barbados for a US visa, and shortly, for travel to the USA for evaluation and treatment. Any remaining funds will kept in reserve for future expenses. The duration of care may extend to eight years.”
He also explained that the Pedifund is managed by PALS - a private pediatric foundation established in the early 1990s, and that further donations to the Pedifund would be channeled to the general pool to be used to cover G’Neika’s future expenses, and expenses of other children.
Dr. Martin declared that G’Neika’s family has filed an application for State assistance, but that request would be dealt with after the monies from the PALS/Pedifund are exhausted.
It is therefore incumbent upon little G’Neika’s parents to put aside their differences, find an amicable solution to their problems (if such exist) and work together as the public did and is still doing in the welfare of the six-year-old.
