Let us tell you about our son, Lane Preston Yochum, and the fight he is in for.
On March 3, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas, Lane entered our world. It was a proud day for us. He was born in a “quick” ten hours, weighing in at 8lbs, 4oz. He quickly won the hearts of everyone he was around, especially his big sister Mackenzie.
When Lane was a few months old we noticed that he didn’t really look at us and didn’t track anything that went in front of his eyes. Concerned, we scheduled an appointment with a pediatric ophthalmologist. The doctor was able to make a diagnosis, though terrible: Lane has Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD). These were just words compared to the reality that followed them. Lane is blind and SOD has no treatment and no cure. His optic nerves never fully developed before he was born and a thin lining in his brain (septum pullicidum) is missing. Lane has no light perception in either eye and cannot track or follow.
The news was crushing. All the light had been taken out of our young son’s life before he was even born. Of all the challenges in life our son could face, blindness was one that we had never thought of.
It is often in dark times however that hope reveals itself. After talking with parents of children with SOD and conducting extensive research, we discovered a new treatment being undertaken by Beike Biotech. The treatment is having overwhelming results with other people afflicted with SOD. It is Lane’s best chance at sight and one that we are determined to give him.
The treatments are in China however, and the cost is $30,000 for treatment, airfare and food. While doing everything in our power to give Lane this opportunity we would also appreciate and welcome any donations that you can make to aid in Lane’s fight for sight. It will only be through the help and love of others that Lane will have his chance to see every beautiful thing that we all take for granted.
We thank you for your time, love and generosity.
Tim and Lauren Yochum