Ezra’s Story

Ezra came to Open Arms when he was 8 months old and it soon became apparent that he was quite unwell.With the expertise of Dr Kennedy at Blantyre University Hospital, he was diagnosed with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), a hole in the ventricle wall of the heart.

After reviewing his case, the medical board of the amazing Chain of Hope  children’s charity approved him for sponsored corrective surgery, and you helped us to raise funds to send him and his care giver Juliana to Germany and the top class Leipzig Heart Centre.

Ezra and Juliana arrived in Germany on the 10th December where he was admitted directly onto the Paediatric cardiac ward. Because of the complexity of his heart condition it was necessary for Ezra to undergo further, more detailed investigations that were not available in Malawi. The doctors were saddened to find that these tests showed unusually high pulmonary pressures especially for a child of his age.They regrettably concluded that continuing with heart surgery would be extremely high risk, and may shorten rather than lengthen his life. The best option for Ezra, that would give him the longest life expectancy (of about 20 years) and allow the most comfortable lifestyle, would be not to pursue surgery.

It is of course not the story that we would like to be sharing with you,  but  Chain of Hope expressed our feelings well when they wrote ‘ We are so grateful to Open Arms and their supporters for everything you did for Ezra, for getting him this far and to at least give him the best opportunities possible” we take comfort in the fact that we were able to give Ezra  the best chance of help possible, and we are hugely grateful to you all for your contributions to our campaign and words of support.