Source: Timeslive

When Shelindra Baros was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at the age of five, medical experts told his mother he would not live to be 20.

LOOKING UP: Shelindra Baros is positive stem-cell therapy can offer him a new life Picture: ROGAN WARD

Now, at 35, Baros is hoping stem-cell therapy can help him regain the use of his legs and arms.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a degenerative disorder that slowly weakens the body’s muscles.

Baros, who has been restricted to a wheel-chair since he was 13, has been selected as a candidate for stem-cell therapy at the Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Institute in China.The information technology graduate from Effingham in Durban received his acceptance letter in December last year, and his family are now trying to raise the nearly half-a-million rands required for the treatment.

The 40-day treatment will involve eight stem-cell infusions via the spinal cord, as well as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, occupational therapy and acupuncture.

The family’s fundraising efforts began this week when Baros’s uncle, Sam Prakash, set up a Facebook page.

Baros said he was motivated to try the controversial treatment after reading about Nicole Padyachee, an eight-year-old who underwent the treatment last year.

Baros lives with his mother, Sheila Mannah, and is totally reliant on her.

“At the age of 65, she continues to assist me in dressing, bathing, eating, carries me onto my wheelchair and transports me to and from work. My mother has been a tower of strength. However, as she advances in age, it becomes more difficult and life-threatening for her to bear my weight,” he said.

Mannah refused to place her son in a special school and enrolled him in a school for the able-bodied.

“I went to Avoca Secondary, and it was hard. I had to be carried up stairs and that was scary. I broke my leg once when I fell off my chair,” said Baros.

He and his family are aware of the controversial nature of the treatment but he wants to concentrate on the good it can do.

“I’ve seen what it can do. I always think positive. So I believe it will be a success.”

Mannah said the treatment had offered her hope. “For the first time since he was diagnosed, I feel hopeful.”

Baros said he was not sure what he would do if the treatment was a success. “I never thought of walking. This is normal for me. I think maybe I’ll go bungee jumping.”

* Donations may be made to Standard Bank, in aid of Shelindra Baros, account number 252092651, branch code 057829.