A Walvis Bay mother is appealing to the community for assistance to help her teenage son continue receiving psychiatric care after his childhood battle with eye cancer left him struggling with emotional and behavioural challenges.
The boy was diagnosed with eye cancer when he was still young, resulting in the removal of his eye and optic nerve. Although he overcame the cancer, his mother says the trauma has continued to affect him. He has since been diagnosed with conduct disorder and requires specialised psychiatric support, but accessing treatment has become a major challenge as Walvis Bay does not have a facility that can provide the care he needs. The only psychiatrist available to assist him is based in Windhoek, meaning the family has to travel long distances for appointments. The trips come with costs for transport, accommodation and meals.
The mother, who is unemployed and raising four children, says the loss of her son’s father three years ago has added to the family’s difficulties. “For August we need about N$10 000 for transport, accommodation and meals while attending appointments,” she says. The family also needs ongoing support for the teenager’s prosthetic eye, which requires replacement as he grows. Last year, donations helped him travel to Cape Town where he received a new prosthetic eye.
The family is planning another trip to Cape Town in December for a follow-up consultation and needs about N$20 000 for two weeks’ expenses, as well as two Intercape bus tickets. Clinical psychologist Caesaria Mutau explains that conduct disorder is a serious behavioural condition that goes beyond normal teenage behaviour. It can include aggression, fighting, lying, stealing, vandalism, truancy and other difficulties with following social rules. She says early intervention, family support and continued treatment are important in helping young people manage the condition. “Parents and caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in treatment, parenting programmes and support interventions. Family involvement is often a key component of successful management,” Mutau says.
The mother says she is thankful for the support the family has received from the community over the years and is appealing for further assistance to ensure her son can continue receiving the care he needs. Donations can be made by contacting the mother on +264 81 825 4494.
(Names have been withheld to protect the teenager’s identity)
By Eileen van der Schyff
