Sanjae Sterling, Staff Writer

Only six months old and Naethan Blake is facing a crucial blow to his life.

The child's mother, Erica Whyte, who is a cosmetologist by profession, is fearing that her child will suffer indefinitely with the disease hydriocephalus, also called 'water on the brain'.

White said the birth of the baby was not a smooth one. "he had some lack of oxygen at birth and doctors feared that he might have swallowed blood, however, x-rays showed that everything was OK," she said. She also said that the baby kept on leaning his head and that a section of his head kept on pulsating. With concern, she took the baby to the Olympic Health Centre where she maintains that doctors checked Naethan and said that he was well.

Still believing that something was truly wrong with the child, his mother took him to Kid's Clinic where preliminary tests conducted showed that Naethan had various complications. Tests showed that his blood count was low, he had a spinal problem, and fluid was in his head.

In the 'Whyte'

Whyte and her child were then referred to the University Hospital where his mother said that it was recommended that a CAT scan and an MRI be done. However, Whyte could not afford to do both procedures and opted to do the MRI instead, that this was far more important. The result of the MRI concluded that Naethan had fluid collecting in the back of his head.

When THE STAR spoke to one of Naethan's doctor at the University Hospital, we were told that Whyte was being impatient as there was another procedure the child could have done. This procedure he said could have been worked out with the University Hospital and would have been less expensive.

Whyte however disputed this, saying that if the correct amount is not given to buy the shunt (the device used to drain the fluid from the child's head) and the surgery is not done soon, the effect on her baby will be devastating. She further added that she was told by a doctor that if the "second-rate" shunt being proposed by the doctor is used, there will be a possibility that the baby's head would be longer after the draining of the fluid.

Whyte is therefore appealing to the public to aid her in her plight. The cost of Naethan's operation is $281,400. Naethan's mother laments that she is currently an only parent as all attempts to contact the child's father who is abroad has been futile. Anyone wishing to assist Naethan may contact his mother at 474-4559.