Mother desperate to help son suffering with kidney disorder

A Manchester mother says she is desperate to find help for her 20-year-old son, Garvin Atkinson, who has been battling a potentially life-threatening kidney problem since 2017.

Garvin, a former student of May Day High School in the parish, was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disorder, after he repeatedly complained about having abdominal pains.

As a result of his condition, Garvin is receiving dialysis up to three times per week as he waits for a kidney transplant. However, his mother, Shermaine Atkinson, said that the family is finding it difficult to support his medical treatment, having spent between J$104,000 - J$130,000 per month since October, as well as other medical expenses generated over the years.

She told THE WEEKEND STAR that her son, who hopes to one day become a music producer and music teacher, is constantly in excruciating pain as a result of his illness.

"His illness severely affected his attendance in high school and when he was attending HEART Academy [in New Port, Manchester]. When his blood count drops too low he has to go back into the hospital and sometimes he has to wait two or three weeks before he gets any blood support. He has a rare blood type [O-negative], so that makes it a bit difficult for him to get blood. We are doing everything to help him get better because he is such a loving son. Very jovial and always positive in his thinking," the mother said.

She said that doctors have yet to determine the reason for his illness.

"They say this normally happens if the person smokes or drinks or has some family inheritance. But Garvin is not like that and none of his relatives either from my side or his father side have this issue, so we are all puzzled," she said. Garvin is currently in hospital and was too weak to speak with the news team. Atkinson said that the family receives some financial assistance from Garvin's friends and her church family at True Divine Holiness in Goshen, St Elizabeth.

"Relatives also chip in here and there... but sometimes one test can cost me up to J$40,000. Just last week, he had to do a test because he was coughing up blood. So we had to do a CT scan and found out he had pneumonia," said Atkinson.

The worried mother said that she is appealing to the public for financial support. She fears that because of his illness, Garvin, the eldest of her two sons, may be in trouble "... especially if he don't get to do the dialysis because the toxins can build up in his body". Atkinson, who sells natural juices for a living, said that the situation has taken its toll on the family both emotionally and financially.

"His little brother (Garville), he feels it a lot. Whenever we take Garvin to the hospital and he doesn't come back, he cries. It has also been a lot of sleepless nights for everyone because we try to stay up with him via video calls whenever he is in the hospital," she said. The family is also appealing for potential donors in case none of them are a match for Garvin.

Persons interested in helping Garvin may donate to a Jamaica National Bank account in the name of Shermaine Atkinson, #209-414-89770 or contact her at 1 876-315-5877.