LIMA — Mari is only one years old and has already undergone brain surgery and may need more surgeries.
Mari’s mother Amber is a single mom of four children and has missed a lot of work to care for her son. Her son and family could benefit from help from the community to make their Christmas brighter.
Mari, of Lima, was diagnosed with chiral malformation in early July. He will have this condition the rest of his life as well as a scar on the back of his neck from the surgery. He has a twin sister and he was born premature and currently has physical, occupational and speech therapy.
“The disease is when the spine protrudes and there is an opening in the back of their brain. He did not have a bone that should be there,” Amber said.
Mari was having headaches and he would fall and woke up not able to move any of his extremities. She said doctors told her most people who have the disease are not diagnosed until they are a teenager.
He had the brain surgery Sept. 27 at Dayton Children’s Hospital.
“I was scared and cried a lot and prayed, it was hard to keep my mind off it,” Amber said. The surgery took nearly six hours for doctors to complete and doctors would call her every hour to update how the surgery was going.
The surgery was successful and he was able to return home with doctors saying he may need to have several surgeries growing up as his body grows. He also is required to get MRIs every three months when his mom has to take off of work. He also sees a neurosurgeon and neurologist.
Mari loves Paw Patrol, basketballs, balls and any truck or vehicle toy that makes sounds. His clothing is a size 18 to 24 months. He sleeps in a crib now, but could use a bed and he wears winter boot and shoe size 4. His family also could use help with cleaning supplies.
Mari’s siblings also could use help this Christmas with his twin sister, Amica, wearing a size 24 months clothing, size 4 shoes and likes dolls and stuffed animals. His other two sister, Danielle wears a size 3T and shoe size 9 and likes Leap Frog toys and a Tablet computer and his sister Debra wears a size 6 girls clothing and shoe size 12. Debra likes LOL toys, baby dolls and a Tablet computer.
“I try to teach my kids it is better to give than receive and there are other kids who don’t have as much as they have,” Amber said. Last year the family donated old toys to those in need and she said she is trying to teach her children the importance of giving to others.
