Help Eli Walk Again: Donate to Spinal Surgeries & Treatment

Our little sunshine, Eli, is just two years old, but his journey has already been filled with more challenges than most will ever face. From a young age, we could tell that his mobility (gross motor skills) was laboured. We went to multiple doctors, physicians, orthopedic surgeons, occupational therapists and physiotherapists here in Harare, Zimbabwe, trying to get an answer to what the underlying issue was, but we were never given a definitive answer. We were constantly told that developmental delays are 'normal' and that he would be fine, but as parents, you just know when something is off when it comes to your child. We were eventually sent for an MRI scan after a year of asking and that's when we unfortunately discovered a lipoma, a fatty tumor, growing on his spine and ultimately causing severe compression of the entire cervical spinal cord (C1 to T2).

This brave little boy has already undergone a laminectomy, a surgery to remove part of his spinal bone to access the tumor. Unfortunately, the surgeon discovered that the tumor was in fact, inside the dural sac and closer to the spinal cord than they'd initially anticipated and as such, could not be safely removed at that time. It's like a shadow trying to steal Eli's bright future. He needs another laminectomy to remove what can be safely removed of the tumor and give him a fighting chance at walking and exploring the world like any other child.

Seeing your child struggle to take his first steps is a pain no parent should have to bear. But Eli is a fighter. He lights up every room with his smile, and his determination to overcome this obstacle is truly inspiring.

Unfortunately, the cost of all of this is beyond our means. We have depleted our medical aid benefit on the first procedure and have had to take out loans to cover the substantial shortfalls. We're reaching out to you, the kindness of family, friends and strangers, with a plea to help us give Eli the gift of mobility.

Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to giving Eli the second chance he deserves. With your help, we can rewrite his story, from one filled with obstacles to one brimming with laughter and the joy of walking.

Please donate and share our story. Together, let's help Eli take his first steps towards a brighter future.

Here's how your donation will help:

* Cover the cost of the second laminectomy surgery.

* Offset some loan repayments, medical bills and ongoing paediatric treatment and physiotherapy costs.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your compassion and generosity.

Please share Eli's story and donate today!

With love ,

Miji and Tino Nyandoro

Eli's parents