Ivan

Visiting with Ivan and family

A happy Ivan

Dr. Cech and Zr. Kovic make a home visit in Balzar, Ecuador

We came to meet Ivan by way of the office of the Viceprefecta of Guayas.  When learning of his story  it was important for us to meet him and his family no matter the distance that we had to travel.

Ivan is a smiling, happy five year old little boy who has in his young years experienced so much emotional turmoil than many adults experience in a lifetime.

With the support of his loving aunt and cousins he travels to the city of Guayaquil twice a week for physical therapy, a ride that takes three hours to get there and three hours to get back home to where he lives with his mother, younger brother, aunt and cousins (five children and two adults).  Ivan is

recovering from massive burns and partial loss of his right leg resulting from an amputation.  He has learned to walk with his wooden crutches and accept the loss of this main caregiver, his grandmother.  The aunt is the primary caregiver, she works in the rice fields earning basic wages, not enough for a family of seven, she makes due.  Ivan’s mother, an attractive  gentle woman, is unable to provide for her children as she herself has a mental capacity of a small child and requires care just the same.

In meeting the family we were able to request support from the local Lions Club of Balzar.   With their support and that of the Office of the Viceprefecta the family will be looked into regularly and determine some of the needs that they could assist with, starting with picking up the aunt and Ivan and getting them to the main road to public transportation for therapy, cutting the time by half an hour.

During our short visit we were able to observe Ivan’s capabilities, determine current and future needs.  For now we delivered a few pieces of clothing, toys and educational supplies.  He could benefit from creams to help alleviate pain resulting from the burns throughout various parts of his body, especially as he grows, a set of adjustable crutches and in time he may desire a prosthesis.