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When I first arrived in Ghana, standing at the airport waiting to be picked up, I was terrified. It was my first time out of the US, and I wasn’t on a vacation – I was in my new home. What had been excitement and hope for the unknown, quickly turned into panic and a fear that I had made a grave mistake. I stood there waiting to be picked up, falling deeper and deeper into this hole of self-doubt and anxiety. And then my driver rolled up, sporting a big, goofy, toothy smile. Animated, he practically screamed “Welcome Michael!!!!” Before launching my bags into the van. He was introduced as Richard, more affectionately known as Uncle Richie. He gave off an air of cheerfulness so infectious that the smile on his face immediately lifted my heart out of its pool of darkness and reminded me of the hope I had felt only hours before. And just like that – the exuberant Uncle Richie became my first friend here in Ghana. For my first few months here, Uncle Richie drove me anywhere I needed to go, helping me understand the town around us, where I could get things, what I would need. As I walked around campus trying to familiarize myself with my new colleagues, Uncle Richie was always a friendly face that made me feel less lonely, and like I belonged. Over the past two years, Uncle Richie and I have continued to be close friends, during which I have become acquainted with his family. His wife, Beatrice, a talented seamstress, also known as the woman wonder that makes all my African clothes, and their five children; 3 girls and 2 boys! Their youngest son, Eric, is the reason I come to you all today for help.
I first met Eric when I was at Beatrice’s shop getting a fitting done when her 4 children ran in. In their school uniforms, they were running and laughing playing after-school games. There was another child sitting on the steps, who I assumed was a random child – until Uncle Richie introduced him as his youngest son, Eric. Eric, as I could immediately see, was affected with some severe birth defects. He had growths on his neck and face, what looked like a deformity on his head, and eyes that were not properly developed. Eric was not very verbal and did not seem quick to meet new people, hesitant as though he was expecting a bad reaction. Uncle Richie explained that he had birth defects. They had been trying to fix them, but it was slow coming as the money wasn’t there. After speaking further with Uncle Richie and Eric’s doctors, it was explained to me that Eric was born with Goldenhar syndrome along with other birth defects. The Goldenhar syndrome has affected his eyes and general facial appearance, and is typically associated with abnormalities of some internal organs such as the heart, kidney, lungs, and nervous system. Unfortunately, Uncle Richie and his wife aren’t sure how Eric’s internal organs have been affected, as they have not been able to afford the tests. Additionally, as you can see he is afflicted with an extremely bad overgrowth of hyperpigmented wart lesions, as well as a reoccurring fungal infection on his head, and recently has been experiencing seizures for which the cause is also unknown.
These birth defects and medical issues have severely affected the quality of life of Eric and his family. Eric has been unable to regularly attend school, as he is constantly ridiculed and ostracized by the other kids due to his appearance. As a 6 year old kid, I don’t need to explain the emotional toll it has taken on him to be treated like an exhibit by his peers. Furthermore, Uncle Richie and his wife are finding it near impossible to support five children in addition to Eric’s medical expenses on a seamstress and taxi driver’s salary.
Thus, I would like to ask you all for any support you are able to give. Uncle Richie has been a source of support and comfort in my time here, and I hope to be able to give back in some way for that. I have set the fundraising goal for $20,000, as that will cover a large portion of the costs for his future surgeries, as well as some to undergo the tests needed to assess his internal organs thoroughly. Anything you are willing to give is appreciated, even if the only support can offer is to share this campaign! Thank you all for reading <3
Below are some pictures of Eric. All pictures uploaded at the request of Uncle Richie.
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