CRESTVIEW — Until today, Julio Chi had a branchial cleft cyst, a congenital abnormality that resulted in a lump on the side of his neck.
"Because of this, the boy doesn't grow well and he gets repeated respiratory infections — mainly upper respiratory infections," Dr. Joseph Peter, a Crestview pediatrician, said.
The result is what he called global developmental delay: "He doesn't talk now," Peter said. "He just makes some noises here and there."
But three physicians — Peter, of Crestview Pediatrics, along with Dr. Joseph Siefker and Dr. Richard Barnett, of Fort Walton Beach Medical Center — and numerous Northwest Florida residents, want to see a better life for this 4-year-old Belizean boy.
ANNUAL MISSION
Operation Medical Care — a group of Crestview area volunteers including Peter and his wife, Bernadine — visits Belize each year to provide free services for impoverished residents.
Last fall, Angelica Chi walked 5 miles from her Orange Walk home seeking care for her son.
All of Julio's vaccinations — for polio, measles, mumps and rubella — were current, Bernadine said. But the cyst could easily be treated with a corrective surgery unavailable in the Central American nation.
Because of this, and her finances, Angelica said she never imagined that Julio would receive the surgery. The single mother of two — including another son, Juan, 15 — washes people's clothes for a living and takes home the equivalent of $5 U.S. a day.
In addition to lack of funds, she said she lacked emotional support from her children's father.
"When I tell him the baby's sick, he tell me, "I am not a doctor, I don't have no money for him," she said Wednesday.
Little did she know, Northwest Florida residents were determined to care for Julio.
'GENEROUS PEOPLE'
"Very generous people," including Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church parishioners, the Knights of Columbus and the Engel family raised enough money to cover the Chis' airfare and lodging for what could be a month in America, Bernadine Peter said.
Her husband, along with Siefker and Barnett, are providing health care services at no charge.
Wednesday, the Chis visited Crestview Pediatrics for a blood pressure checkup.
Friday, surgeons performed a fistulectomy, removing a fistulous tract that caused some of the problems. “It’s gone really well,” Siefker said after the surgery.
Additional procedures included removal of Julio’s tonsils and adenoids, and work to correct a defect in his ear tubes. “This child’s adenoids and tonsils were so bad he couldn’t breathe through his nose," Siefker said. "And he’s had so much fluid in his ears, so this is really going to make a marked difference in his life.”
'VERY REWARDING'
Barnett, who participates in annual medical mission trips to South America, said he appreciates the chance to help people like Julio.
“It is very rewarding to help someone who doesn’t have the means to help themselves," he said. "You see what’s out there that people just don’t have access to. “Once you realize that need is out there, it’s hard not to do it.”
Peter said he is optimistic about the surgery's effect on Julio's health.
"Hopefully, after this correction he'll be able to say a few words."
In the meantime, Crestview residents have taken Angelica — who came to America for the first time with just one bag — clothes shopping at Wal-Mart and to meals at places like La Rumba.
In addition, Melissa Channing Hill donated some shirts, pants and a jacket after seeing a Facebook post about the need.
Brittany Board also said she felt compelled to contribute to the effort.
"We had been blessed with quite a few clothes that were given to us for some of our foster children and were not able to use all of them (pants, shirts, etc.) Nothing on this earth really belongs to us anyway so why not give to someone who can use it! By giving to others in need, I feel we are just passing on the blessings that God gave to us."
All that Northwest Florida residents have done for the Chis has left them with a good impression of America, Angelica said.
"It's the first time I come visit here but I like… it's good.
Email News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Passing on the blessings': NWF residents rally for Belizean boy