Tarell Sutherland – he’s the four year old we introduced
you to in November who’s suffering from that rare skin disorder called
icthyosis. Since his plight came to public attention – he’s been
receiving a fair amount of assistance and goodwill – but not much good
news. That’s because the medical professional who promised him specialised
treatment in the United States have been busy trying to make arrangements for
him to see a cardiologist and a dermatologist – both for free. Well the
news tonight is that the arrangements have been finalized and now it’s
only a matter of time before he goes abroad for treatment. He and his mom stopped
by out studio today.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
Tarrell Sutherland walks the streets like a big man and probably right that
he should – since he first came to public attention 6 weeks ago –
he’s become known in every household across Belize.
Nicole MacDougal, Mother
“Since he been on the shows, well I notice that people look at it
differently, they don’t really the shrug again and they nuh really di
skin up their face.”
And those not swayed by sympathy are won over by his fetching smile in the 
face of immense adversity. That smile though has a lot to do with a bit of good
news the family got yesterday.
Nicole MacDougal,
“For the new year, well the new year start and we got some good news.
Tarrell will be going to Austin Texas first. He is supposed to reach Austin
Texas for the 29th of January so basically we will be flying out like the 27th
so that we could rest up the Thursday and then the Friday morning they will
start with him. From Austin Texas we will fly to Shreveport Louisiana and he
should see the cardiologist like the 16th of February.”
It’s a relief after a long wait during which time he’s not getting
any better.
Nicole MacDougal,
“Well I feel great and excited. I partly wanted to cry yesterday but
I have to be a strong mom and continue to be that strong mother. So I was so
happy, I told him he is going and he wanted to know when. One day he told me
mom you done get the money, when I will I go.”
Indeed as he invites his 6 month old sister rough him up a bit - Tarrell is
keenly aware of this opportunity to have a changed life where the public will
embrace him as wholeheartedly as his innocent little sister does.
Nicole MacDougal,
“He knows what he the go through. Even though we know he is suffering
and we know that he is going through pain everyday, he knows what he is going
through.”
And with doctors’ appointments set, his mother is more hopeful than ever
that her son can have a normal life with his siblings.
Nicole MacDougal,
“I get down on my knees and I pray to the Good Lord that at least
if he can work a miracle then I pray for it to happen. If no then I will accept
it just the way it comes because the easiest thing to live with problems is
to learn to accept it. So if he can’t do no miracle for my son then fine
I will accept it, at least the comfort what he can give to him.”
And while she is hoping for a miracle, she has very real expectations.
Nicole MacDougal,
“We will need to continue to fundraise because at Austin Texas we
will have to do some testing and medication that we will need to pay for. It
is not like in Shreveport where the hospital will take care of what he has to
get done. But in Austin Texas the doctor will be doing his consultation free
but we need to pay for all the testing, the medications, and different things
that will be done to him.”
The doctor has also advised that while they can better manage and to some extent
treat his illness – he will continue to experience the worst of it until
he is 15.
You can make contributions at the Atlantic Bank account number 211057247
or you can contact his mother Nicole McDougal at 668-8604.
Email
Print