A fundraiser has been launched to help send a Wallaceburg boy to Spain for ptosis surgery.
Krista Courteaux said her and her husband Cal Vankerkhoven’s son Tucker, 2, has been through quite a bit at his young age.
“He was born with congenital ptosis (droopy eye lid) along with gastroschisis (bowels outside his abdomen),” she said on the GoFundMe page she created.
“His first month of life was in the NICU and we are very fortunate that everything went as smoothly as it did and that we received the amazing help of Ronald McDonald house. We are fairly familiar with specialist appointments, with his pediatric surgeon looking after his gastro diagnosis and his pediatric ophthalmologist looking after his eyes.”
She added: “Recently, Tucker’s right eye has started to get strabismus (lazy eye) and his vision is getting worse. We have gotten a secondary consultation with an incredible surgeon based out of Spain named Dr. Ramon Medel Jimenez. He is the leading expert in corrective surgeries for pediatric patients with ptosis and other eye conditions. He has seen patients from over seventy different countries and people from all over the world travel for his frontal flap surgery technique, that he has been perfecting for 20+ years (which is not offered in Canada).”
Courteaux said the surgery is minimally invasive, uses no foreign materials and has less risk of having to repeat surgeries in the future and performs amazing looking results.
“He wants our little man in Spain to perform surgery the end of this month, to minimize any more complications from his ptosis diagnosis,” she said.
“This is where we are needing your help. Insurance will not cover these procedures. This will be 100% out of pocket. We will be responsible for all surgery costs, travel expenses, and any accommodations. Surgery alone is $18,000.”
Courteaux added: “Any support you can give is much appreciated, thank you so much for taking the time to read Tuckers story.”
The fundraiser has gathered $4,875 of their $8,000 target since launching on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
To donate, click here.
