Disease is not a stranger in my family. My younger brother was diagnosed with spinal meningitis, which is an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord ("Meningitis: Definition," 2012, para. 1) before his first birthday. I was four at the time and remember how my family members reacted to the news as they poured into the hospital floor to support my parents. I understood that something was terribly wrong, as I watched as my infant brother who was in isolation, behind the glass window that kept us separated, surrounded by a multitude of doctors and nurses with my mother somewhere in the midst. I remember how my mother reacted when after several long and exhausting hours the doctors finally were able to provide a diagnoses, my mother began crying uncontrollably, not understanding what was happening I became worried and began crying too, concerned for my mother. I wanted nothing more than for my brother and family to be home again. That night and for several weeks while my mother stayed with my younger brother we had to stay at relatives homes, which was really devastating for me and my other two siblings. Our father had to begin working nights in order so that he could take care of us during the day. My brother survived this disease although he spent many months in the hospital, it wasn’t until 6 months later that he was released from the hospital, but he was completely healed. But the impact was tremendous for our family, even as a young child and as protective as my parents were, it still affected me. Not knowing if my younger brother would come, the image of him in that hospital room with all the machines attached to him tiny body, has been and continues to a constant picture in my mind, even after all these years. When someone mentions meningitis it immdediately takes me back to that cold wintery night on that quiet, and dim hospital floor, as I watched behind the glass window.
There are many countries that are facing devastating diseases that are killing both children and adults. For example in South Africa where AID/HIV epidemic has had devastating effects, on adults but especially children, “the number of premature deaths due to HIV/AIDS has risen significantly over the last decade from 39 percent to 75 percent in 2010” ("The Impact of HIV upon South Africa," 2013, p. 1). There were 56.9 deaths for every 1000 born due to this eradicating disease. The number of pregnant women diagnosed with this disease was about 30 percent in 2003, and these numbers have not seem to have declined since then ("The Impact of HIV upon South Africa," 2013). While this disease is preventable the South African government until recently had done little to provide government assistance to many providers. The results have been what I have mentioned above. This is devastating for the many children who are left without parents to take care of them, many of them have to have to be taken in by older family members many times grandparents, who many time do not have the finances to care for the children, many times forcing the families to move from location. These are changes that affect children cognitively, emotionally and developmentally, because they have to deal with the loss of both parents, and in many instances separated from other siblings or even family members and sent to orphanages if no other family member is willing or able to take them in. Many times these children themselves are infected with the HIV/AIDS virus and have to be institutionalized. I can only imagine how children will if they even make it to adults be able to function; the ravishing disease has the power to ruin lives. This chance of many of these children growing into healthy individuals are slim to none, many may suffer from insecure attachment behavioral problems, such as antisocial disorders, or learning disabilities. Thankfully for countries such as the United States has been providing funding to non- governmental organizations (NGO’s) such as USAID to Africa, so that they in turn can provide funding and resources needed in many of the villages where this disease has left its mark.
Best Regards,
Magda.
There are many countries that are facing devastating diseases that are killing both children and adults. For example in South Africa where AID/HIV epidemic has had devastating effects, on adults but especially children, “the number of premature deaths due to HIV/AIDS has risen significantly over the last decade from 39 percent to 75 percent in 2010” ("The Impact of HIV upon South Africa," 2013, p. 1). There were 56.9 deaths for every 1000 born due to this eradicating disease. The number of pregnant women diagnosed with this disease was about 30 percent in 2003, and these numbers have not seem to have declined since then ("The Impact of HIV upon South Africa," 2013). While this disease is preventable the South African government until recently had done little to provide government assistance to many providers. The results have been what I have mentioned above. This is devastating for the many children who are left without parents to take care of them, many of them have to have to be taken in by older family members many times grandparents, who many time do not have the finances to care for the children, many times forcing the families to move from location. These are changes that affect children cognitively, emotionally and developmentally, because they have to deal with the loss of both parents, and in many instances separated from other siblings or even family members and sent to orphanages if no other family member is willing or able to take them in. Many times these children themselves are infected with the HIV/AIDS virus and have to be institutionalized. I can only imagine how children will if they even make it to adults be able to function; the ravishing disease has the power to ruin lives. This chance of many of these children growing into healthy individuals are slim to none, many may suffer from insecure attachment behavioral problems, such as antisocial disorders, or learning disabilities. Thankfully for countries such as the United States has been providing funding to non- governmental organizations (NGO’s) such as USAID to Africa, so that they in turn can provide funding and resources needed in many of the villages where this disease has left its mark.
Best Regards,
Magda.
References
USAID South Africa [Fact Sheet]. (2012). Retrieved from USAID: http://sa.usaid.gov/south_africa/node/5
Hello Magda WOW what a memory to have in your head at such a young age. I am sorry you had experience this but that all was well. My mom has told me a similar story of this happening to my older brother but not as severe as your experience. I couldn't imagine going through that.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad how AIDs/HIV is so out of control in Africa. I hope that they are able to found a cure and help the families out. It would be a big stress reliever for all of them.
your post is very touching. I enjoyed reading it. It is very nice t know that you are capable of reflecting on your own life and be willing to share it with others.
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