Parents still praying for a miracle for fire boy

THE PARENTS of a two-year-old who was left brain dead in a horrific fire almost two months ago are still praying for a miracle for their son’s recovery.

Joseph Pesiara’s parents believe their son will one day open his eyes and speak to them again, his doctors said.

The child, who was critically injured in a blaze at his Nicosia home on October 8, has still not responded to treatment.

Head of Makarios Hospital’s paediatric department Dr Andreas Hadjidemetriou said yesterday the toddler’s brain continued not to react. Ten days ago, a CAT scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) confirmed Joseph’s brain functioning was abnormal.

The youngster, who is receiving treatment in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, was asphyxiated for at least 15 minutes when he ingested smoke from the blaze that broke out in his home while he slept.

The child is being kept alive through mechanical means to control his vital organs.

Makarios hospital doctors and neurologists met last week to discuss the child’s prognosis. Barring future health complications, Joseph could potentially be kept alive like this for many years, Hadjidemetriou said.

Meanwhile a 19-month-old who fell from the second floor of his Larnaca apartment block on November 11 has been discharged from hospital.

The little Russian boy was spared from a serious injury thanks to two things, Hadjidemetriou said.

“First he fell on a water tank on his way down which broke his fall, and second he landed on his bottom,” the doctor said.

The boy suffered concussion and a fractured femur, he added.

“He was in Intensive Care and then transferred to the surgical ward and from there discharged.”

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