The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THREE-year-old Ru’shon Fox has experienced more health related issues in his short lifetime than some adults ever do. When he was born his heart showed no activity, one leg was shorter than the other and he had kidney issues.

Ru’shon was born in August 2009, and diagnosed with tetralogy of fallot. He is in dire need of the heart surgery. Tetraology of fallot causes low oxygen levels in the blood and leads to cyanosis (a bluish-purple colour to the skin). Usually tetralogy of fallot causes four defects of the heart and its major blood vessels. Unfortunately, the corrective surgery for this defect is not performed locally. The cost of the surgery when negotiated starts at $50,000.

Through the Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation, the Bahamas Antique Auto Club donated proceeds from a recently held car show to assist Ru’shon and his family with expenses for the surgery. A date for Ru’shon’s surgery has not been determined as yet.

“We are just prepared and ready for anything. The doctors told us that we should be prepared to travel because there is a chance the surgery will be done at Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital. But they have not given us a date yet,” his mother Sandra Williams Fox told Tribune Health.

Ru’shon was also born with a bilateral cleft lip and underwent surgery last year to correct the problem. He is also being monitored for polycystic kidneys.

Doctors believe his multiple health issues are due to a car accident his mother was involved while pregnant. However, at the time of the accident Mrs Fox did not know she was pregnant with Ru’shon.

In late June 2009, Ms Fox took multiple X-rays and was treated for her injuries. She returned to the doctor due to medical problems, which she believed at the time to be side effects of the medication she was taking.

“The medication I was given to take for the injury, gave me symptoms you would normally experience during pregnancy. When the nurse examined me, she told me I needed to take a pregnancy test and I told her ‘miss you don’t have to worry about that cause the cable ein able’,” she said.

The examination showed that Mrs Fox was seven and a half months pregnant.

“I did not know I was pregnant at all. When I found out, it was almost time to give birth. And where I am solid in shape, I was not really showing either. I thought it was so unreal when I saw that baby on the screen,” she told Tribune Health. “I just accepted it and to me he is my miracle child. I love him because God gave him to me as a gift,” she said.

As a diabetic, Mrs Fox was quickly registered as a high risk pregnancy and given all the prenatal care she could get.

Ru’shon spent eight weeks in hospital after he was born. Once he was released from hospital Mrs Fox and her family were faced with helping him to live a productive and normal life, given her limited resources and his challenges. Today, he is living a much more healthier life.

“Ru’shon is such an active child. He is playing more and more everyday. I am so proud of where God has brought him and he has his own testimony. I am only looking for the best to happen after this surgery,” Mrs Fox said.

The Sir Victor Sasson Heart Foundation helps to repair the hearts of person in the Bahamas, primarily children. They depend heavily on the generosity of others to repair the hearts of children who cannot ordinarily afford heart care. Over 97 percent of all funds raised go directly to heart care.

“I am so grateful to the Heart Foundation and the donation from the Antique Auto Club. A couple weeks ago I was trying to make preparations to have another cookout to raise funds for the surgery and the trip. Then I found out that Ru’shon was selected and I thank God for that and all that he has done to sustain my family through this time,” she said.