MANILA, Philippines – Bartrand “Ran-Ran” Barcial is a thin, sickly and bedridden 9-year-old boy living in a small house at 4886 Interior 22, San Roque St., Old Sta. Mesa, Manila. Ran-ran is suffering from a debilitating disease called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). He is the second of four children of Pamela and Bong. Pamela is a housewife while Bong works as a welder for P250 a day.
Since he got sick at age 3, Ran-Ran practically spends all of his time lying in bed. Like full-time caregivers, Bong and Pamela alternate in carrying Ran-Ran when he wants to go to the bathroom, peek outside or sit up.
“It’s bad enough that we are poor. But to have such a disease in the family is a bit too much.” Bong says. Because of their dire situation, Ran-Ran’s parents took a chance and wrote the Philippine STAR’s Operation Damayan to ask for help.
Ran-Ran’s disease usually afflicts children below 16 years of age. In JRA, the child’s white blood cells cannot distinguish its own cells versus harmful bacteria and viruses. Thus, their immune system, instead of protecting its own body, inexplicably attacks healthy tissues and causes joint pain and inflammation. No one knows why the body does this.
The first symptom can be a sore wrist, finger or knee. There could be high fever and a transient rash in the body. Depending on the number of joints affected, there are mild, moderate and severe cases of JRA. Diagnosis is made through blood examination, X-rays, and examination of the joint fluid.
Sad to say, Ran-Ran is afflicted with the most severe form of JRA, where patients develop deformity and short stature. Hence, Ran-Ran needs a team of doctors composed of a rheumatologist, a physical therapist and an orthopedic surgeon.
Treatment of JRA is with medicines, physical therapy and exercise. The goal is to relieve the pain and slow down the destruction of the joints. Medicines used include pain relievers, steroids and the expensive TNF blockers.
The prognosis of the severe form of JRA is not good. Only half of patients go into remission even with the best care. However, the chances are much worse if the disease is left alone to continue on its relentless course.
Bong and Pamela have brought Ran-Ran to medical experts in PGH. In their last visit, they were advised a medicine called TNF blockers worth P60,000. A doctor at St. Luke’s Medical Center also suggested joint replacement. Ran-Ran’s family does not have such an amount and thus Ran-Ran is not getting any medical care at the moment.
It is truly a pity just to see Ran-Ran. His arms and legs are so thin, as compared to his joints, which are swollen and extremely painful to move. Lately, he can barely move his arms and legs anymore as they are stuck in a 90-degree angle. Every little movement causes tears to flow from his eyes.
At the STAR Office, we asked Ran-Ran what he wanted. Speaking through visible pain, Ran-Ran uttered weakly, “I want to go to school but I can’t even hold a pencil… I want to be able to walk again.” Then, another tear fell.
Ran-Ran needs expert medical care and P60,000 to carry out his treatment. For those who would like to help, you may contact Pamela at cellphone 0918-369-7801. You may also donate through the STAR’s Operation Damayan at telephone number 527-7901. (For questions, e-mail drwillieong@gmail.com)