Warangal (Telangana): In the quiet village of Thimmampeta, Zafargarh mandal, Janagama district, a humble family is fighting a battle against time and fate. Kumbhoju Maheshwar, a barber by profession, and his wife Alekhya, a homemaker, are the parents of two-and-a-half-year-old Madhavan, a little boy who was born healthy but is now suffering from a rare and life-threatening genetic condition called Gaucher disease.
What Is Gaucher Disease?
According to Mayo Clinic, Gaucher (pronounced as go-shay) disease is the result of a buildup of certain fatty substances in certain organs, particularly spleen and liver. The inherited disease causes these organs to enlarge and can affect their function. The disease also affects bone tissue, weakening the bone and increasing the risk of fractures.
For the first year and a half, Madhavan seemed like any other child, full of life and energy. However, the family's world turned upside down when his stomach and legs began to swell, and he started experiencing severe indigestion. Concerned, the family sought help from the doctors at Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad, where they were given the devastating news: Madhavan had Gaucher disease, and there was no treatment available at that facility.