A five-year-old boy from Timor Leste has arrived in Melbourne for life-changing surgery to correct deformities in his legs, with the support of students from St Monica’s College.
The Epping school raised $5000 to help the Children First Foundation bring Janelio Miranda to Melbourne for the surgery after doctors in Timor Leste diagnosed him as having hypophosphatemic rickets, which results from a lack of calcium and phosphate.
The painful condition causes bones to become soft and bend. Janelio has deformities of his femurs, knees and tibia that will become worse as he grows.
He is set to have surgery at St Vincent’s Private Hospital to correct the deformities, with the hospital and orthopaedic surgeon Leo Donnan providing their services on a pro bono basis.
But the foundation needs to raise $10,000 to cover the cost of the surgical rods, frames, pins and screws, as well as money for flights, pre- and post-surgical care, clothing and accommodation for Janelio and his mum, Neria.
St Monica’s College principal Brian Hanley said the school didn’t hesitate to raise money for Janelio, having previously raised money for three other children.
