Strange Disease Blinds Family Of 6

A family of six, including a one and half-year-old baby at Akyem Maanso, a farming community in the New Abirim District of the Eastern region has gone blind after being attacked by what they describe as a strange disease that is plaguing their family. The victims are Comfort Adutwumwaa (Mother), Perpetual Agyenim Boateng, 32, Meguela Sarkodie, 22, Emmanuel Ofori, 29, Joyce Asantewa, 24 and the one and half-year-old baby of Joyce Asantewa. Though all the affected persons (excluding the baby) have undergone surgery sponsored by a Non-Governmental Organization, they have remained visually impaired due to the gravity of damage caused by the disease. It is unclear what disease is causing the entire family to be blind, but some are suggesting that they are suffering from cataract. The eyes of the one and half-year-old baby are being damaged by the disease, with the disease eating deep into the eyeball. The family members say doctors are demanding close to GH�1, 000.00 before surgery can be done to correct the defect; however, the family cannot afford this and as a result the baby�s condition is moving from bad to worse. During a visit by the paper, one of the affected victims, Perpetual Agyenim Boateng explained that the disease is genetic and came from their mother. She said the situation has worsened their plight and is making life unbearable for them since they are unable to engage in meaningful jobs to earn any income. She said the mother has been resorting to begging on the street to feed the family since infancy. She said attempts by herself to engage in petty trading were faced with challenges due to her poor sight. Miss Boateng happens to be the visually impaired nursing mother who was detained at the New Abirim Government Hospital for failing to pay GH�40.00 medical bill as published by the DAILY HERITAGE in its July 20, 2014 edition of the paper. Following the publication, several well-meaning Ghanaians volunteered to support the blind lady. A Non-Governmental Organization, Devine Mother and Child Foundation and Obaaba radio in Germany have donated GHC 40.00 and GH�140 .00 cash respectively to support the lady. She has subsequently been discharged from the facility. The donations were made by Edmund Duodu, Founder of DMAC foundation, as well as Kwaku Antwi, on behalf of the CEO of Obaapa Radio, in Germany.