Dubai: Seventeen years ago, in 2006, Zeeshawn Thomas was born with multiple life-threatening birth defects.
Zeeshan had an an imperiorate anus or anorectal malformation (ARMs). ARMs is a birth defect where the rectum is closed.
This was not all. Doctors also detected other life-threatening birth defects in little Zeeshawn. He suffered a heart condition called Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) – a hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart. He was also diagnosed with a DiGeorge syndrome –where a small piece of genetic material is missing from a person’s DNA.
“In the first seven years of his life, Zeeshawn underwent five surgeries. He even wore a colostomy bag until he was seven years old. His heart was opened twice – once closed at Al Mafraq Hospital and another time at Khalifa Medical City (KMC). He was operated in Al Qassimi Women and Children Hospital Emirates – Sharjah,” explained Marketia Wrightman, 58, Zeeshawn’s widowed mother who has two other children as well.
She said: “The medical department of the Sharjah hospital gave Zeeshawn a medical card for free medical consultations and surgeries for life.”
Marketia said Zeeshawn, 17 now, has not required to use the card. He has successfully completed his Grade 12 despite his difficult childhood. He is fit and plays as defender in a game of football. “My son is a fighter and I am so thankful to the UAE government for all the support given to him,” said Marketia.
Marketia recalled her son was born in a private hospital and later shifted to Al Wasl Dubai – now called Latifa Women and Children Hospital.
Three surgeries were done in the hospital all for free – Laparotomy and colostomy surgeries and another operation to fix his VSD was done.
“The hospital gave him the best treatment possible.”
Living fit now
Zeeshawn is a living testament of the advanced medical facilities skilled doctors and government support to UAE residents. “Today my son is fit and healthy thanks to the doctors, the medical facilities and the massive government support that was made available to him. He is leading a normal life andis a fit and handsome young boy. My son has ambitions like any young teen and for this, I am grateful to God and the great leadership of UAE.”
Zeeshawn added: “I am so grateful to the UAE just as my parents are. I don’t know if I would have lived to tell my story had I been in any other country.”
Warrior widow
Life was not easy for Marketia. Her husband who worked as an administration manager for a private company passed away in 2009 when her son Zeeshawn was just three years of age. “I lost my husband when Zeeshawn had just finished his second VSD surgery. I remember the operation was in May and my husband died in August. We both had small jobs. It was a tough time for my children and myself. But we sailed through it all.”
She said Zeeshawn’s medical treatment was fully taken care by the UAE government which was a massive blessing. The company her husband worked for offered her a job, she said.
“I worked hard to educate my children. Today my older children are both educated and have jobs.”
Marketia in 2018 had the opportunity to start her own company. “My older son had turned 21. Back then, he needed a sponsorship to be able to have a valid visa for UAE. It was a blessing again when a Good Samaritan gave us some money to set up a small company in my older son’s name. My son has given me a Power of Attorney (POA) to run the business on his behalf. This is helping us all live independently.”
