Good Morning Angels Festive Edition: Supporting a boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The Angels came together to help seven-year-old Quade Smith who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Over and above this, he has also been diagnosed with Autism, OCD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Anxiety, and Osteopenia. The Good Morning Angels Festive Edition is proudly sponsored by Roman's Pizza.
BACKGROUND: Seven-year-old Quade Smith is his parents Jade and Gerrit’s only son - and brother to his three sisters: Kay Leigh, Ane, and Evi. Jade says they noticed at an early age that Quade didn’t hit his physical developmental milestones as he should. He could always speak very well, but he walked late, had a very strange way of getting up etc. They took him to several doctors but were always sent away without answers.
On 7 July this year, Jade and Gerrit watched an episode of the medical drama, 'New Amsterdam'.
The episode featured a boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - they looked at one another and immediately recognised their own son.
They booked an appointment with a neurologist and their worst fear was confirmed: little Quade had Duchenne’s: a 100% fatal diagnosis, with no cure.
It’s a muscle-wasting disease that cannot be reversed. Over and above this, he has also been diagnosed with Autism, OCD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Anxiety, and Osteopenia.
This family needs all the help they can get, as their medical aid has been depleted, as they try to find the best way forward to assist Quade on his journey.
REQUEST FOR: Seven-year-old Quade Smith and his parents.
REQUEST FROM: Linda Wallace, Farmers Market Witbank Fundraiser Campaign.
ANGEL: Bonnie Cooper, representing Roman's Pizza.
SPONSORING: Roman's Pizza will assist the Smith family with R35,000 to help with their son's special needs.
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Quade has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), this is a 100% fatal diagnosis, with no cure.
Young Quade is 7 years old, and brother to Kay Leigh, Ane and Evi.
Superhero parents, mom Jade & dad Gerrit, need this community to lend a hand.
What is DMD?
Progressive Muscle wasting disease. It can begin as early as age two or three, first affecting the proximal muscles (those close to the core of the body) and later affecting the distal limb muscles (those close to the extremities). Usually, the lower external muscles are affected before the upper external muscles. The affected child might have difficulty jumping, running, and walking. Other symptoms include enlargement of the calves, a waddling gait, and lumbar lordosis (an inward curve of the spine). Later on, the heart and respiratory muscles are affected as well. Progressive weakness and scoliosis result in impaired pulmonary function, which can eventually cause acute respiratory failure.
Until relatively recently, boys with DMD usually did not survive much beyond their teen years. Thanks to advances in cardiac and respiratory care, life expectancy is increasing and many young adults with DMD attend college, have careers, get married, and have children. Survival into the early 30s is becoming more common than before.
Quade’s Medical History
Unfortunately, because this disease is fairly unknown, especially in South Africa, was Quade only diagnosed at a very late stage. This could have been different if he was correctly diagnosed and treated from very early on, and treatment does help the progression of the disease.
Over and above this, has he also been diagnosed with Autism/ OCD/ Sensory Processing Disorder/ Anxiety and Osteopenia.
What does Quade need?
The medical expenses, just to give this little boy a normal day, are close to R10 000 monthly. As it’s a progressive disease, does he need constant therapy, from physiotherapists, cardiologists to dieticians.
With time, his needs will also change, medical bed, Bipap machine, night braces and more.
His family home, needs conversions too, such as a wheelchair ramp in house and for vehicle, and removal of stairs.
This family’s biggest wish however, would be time. With mom & dad both working full-time to cover all these medical expenses, is there hardly any time to spend as a family together and enjoy what little time they might have left with little Quade, and his sisters.
Please show your support, anything can make a difference. Let’s support the Smith family, and give Quade and his siblings the best life they can possibly have.
Linda Wallace
Farmers Market Witbank
The Good Morning Angels Festive Edition is proudly sponsored by Roman's Pizza.
Image Credit: Supplied/ CR Photography