My name is Darren Davids from Hanover Park in Cape Town, South Africa. I was born on 1 September 1997. When I was 5 years old my older sister was admitted to Red Cross Children’s Hospital with what they first thought was whooping cough. After further tests, it was found that she had Cystic Fibrosis and all the siblings were required to be tested and that is when they found out that I too had the gene. My sister who was 4 years older than me passed away at the age of 15, I was told that I would not live past the age of 16 and praise God I am still around today. Since my health has deteriorated this past year I would have to go for medical treatment which consists of different stages and that my pancreas is unable to absorb sufficient nutrients the only way I am able to get sufficient nutrients is by taking the meal replacement Ensure which since I am now considered an adult I no longer get it free at the hospital and since I am not working due to the nature of the progressive disease means that every day is not the same which most employers do not understand, it is quite expensive and difficult to afford the treatment and supplement and I am no longer considered a child to fall under the children’s hospital and that the public health system for adults is very inefficient and does not have the resources to give treatment and supplements, therefore I would have to seek treatment and get necessary supplements at a private hospital and private hospitals are quite crippling financially which I cannot afford but so desperately need. Any help would be most appreciated.
Kind regards, Darren.
