Meirim, Alinur's mother, shared: "Vaccination against measles starts at one year, and my son got sick at six months. I was aware of the possible complications, but he quickly got stronger. We thought all fears were behind us and had no idea that measles could have long-term consequences."
The first signs of the disease appeared in 2023. The day before his fifth birthday, Alinur began complaining of severe headaches. Unfortunately, the disease has now taken away his ability to speak.
“We ended up in the neurology department of the 3rd Children's Hospital. The examination revealed brain swelling, and the doctors diagnosed him with 'epilepsy.' During the treatment, his arms and legs started to fail. We spent a month and ten days in the hospital, but we were discharged because the doctors didn’t know how to help,” shares his mother.
Alinur had measles at six months. The consequences of the virus - a rare brain disease.
Alinur's parents did not immediately realize that the illness was due to measles. At first, they visited many well-known pediatric neurologists in Bishkek and later went to India.
“During the treatment, the doctors held consultations. Almost all the neurologists were aware of the situation, and none of them took on the treatment. Realizing that we wouldn’t get help here, we turned to doctors abroad and flew to India after being discharged, where an accurate diagnosis was made and the correct treatment began,” Meirim recounts.
Alinur has been undergoing treatment for two years. His parents only dream of him living without pain and being able to restore his motor and speech functions.
Meirim bitterly says: "It's terrible. I gave birth to a healthy child who grew and developed ahead of his peers. He ran, jumped, and talked non-stop. Now he is confined to bed. How sad it is that the measles vaccine is only given after one year. One illness has destroyed my son's life and our family," the mother cannot hold back her tears.
Alinur had measles at six months. The consequences of the virus - a rare brain disease.
Every month, treatment and rehabilitation cost the family about $1,500. Alinur's father works as a taxi driver, and his mother cannot work as she needs to provide round-the-clock care for her son. The government pays her about 8,000 soms as a personal assistant to a person with a disability, and Alinur receives the same amount due to his diagnosis.
“We sold everything we could to help our son get back on his feet. We started fundraising when there was nothing left to sell and no one to ask. I hope that Kyrgyz people will understand our situation and support us,” the mother adds with hope.
I really want my son to live and not know pain.
