Published: December 01, 2009 11:25 pm      

A happier holiday: Fund aids boy suffering from cerebral palsy, other problems

GALLITZIN — Adaulphine Plummer of Gallitzin isn’t thinking of her own needs this Christmas.

It’s her 6-year-old grandson she is concerned about. But thanks to The Tribune-Democrat’s Santa Fund, the little boy will have a few more toys under the tree on Christmas morning.

The program, administered by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, collects donations during the holiday season to purchase gifts for needy children in the area.

Seth was born prematurely and consequently has had a series of medical issues. He suffers from cerebral palsy, has vision problems and has undergone several surgeries for complications stemming from CP.

The disease has caused bowel problems, and Seth has started experiencing tingling in his spinal cord.

“The doctors are thinking that he may have some nerves caught in the spinal cord,” said Plummer, who has custody of the boy.

Seth has a shunt to relieve pressure inside his skull.

The shunt can be damaged if Seth falls and hits his head or could stop working on its own, his grandmother said. If the shunt fails, fluid will build up on his brain and the outcome could be fatal.

In addition, the boy has been classified as blind for three years and has had two eye surgeries to repair damaged retinas.

“At this point we feel that we’ve done all we can do,” Plummer said. “Somewhere down the road someone might learn how to rejuvenate the retinas.”

Plummer said she had to leave her job in June due to difficulties with Seth’s care.

Employers do not always tolerate a worker who has to leave the job abruptly for a child’s health emergency or miss work for doctor’s appointments and therapies.

“And the minute you mention you can only work certain days and hours, places do not hire you,” she said.

Plummer’s unemployment has forced her and Seth to live off the $700 check he receives from Social Security each month.

They not only have to pay for living expenses, but must finance medical bills and transportation to out-of-town doctor’s appointments.

“It’s a financial burden to go to Pittsburgh and other doctors in Johnstown and Altoona,” Plummer said.

Plummer has tried receiving assistance from welfare and other outlets but so far has not found another source of income.

Despite Seth’s medical conditions, he still lives the life of a normal 6-year-old. He is in first grade at Penn Cambria, and Plummer said he received all A’s on his report card.

“In every aspect he is a very normal child. He knows he has differences, but he doesn’t let it hinder him,” she said.

“Right now is not a very good year. We started off fine, but my biggest frustration is that there is nothing out there to help anyone in this situation,” she said.

Even with the added stress of the upcoming holidays, the Plummers try not to feel sorry for themselves.

“I don’t feel as sorry for us as I do for other people because I know that there are people that have it worse than we do,” Plummer said.