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Desperate mother seeks help for son with chronic eczema

Published:Saturday | July 3, 2021 | 12:07 AMCecelia Campbell-Livingston/Gleaner Writer
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Ten-year-old Dayquan Drummond of Chapelton in Clarendon shows the effect of a rare skin condition on the sole of his feet. This condition affects both his palms and feet causing him to be out of school and mounting medical expense for Olivia Daley, his mo
Nathaniel Stewart
Ten-year-old Dayquan Drummond of Chapelton in Clarendon shows the effect of a rare skin condition on the sole of his feet. This condition affects both his palms and feet causing him to be out of school and mounting medical expense for Olivia Daley, his mother.
Olivia Daley has become desperate for answers and assistance as her 10-year-old son Dayquan Drummond has been suffering from a rare skin condition that affects both his palms and feet causing him to be out of school.
Nathaniel Stewart
Olivia Daley has become desperate for answers and assistance as her 10-year-old son Dayquan Drummond has been suffering from a rare skin condition that affects both his palms and feet causing him to be out of school.
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Olivia Daley, mother of 10-year-old Dayquan Drummond, is overwhelmed as she tries to deal with the issues associated with eczema affecting her son.

Breaking down in tears, she told The Gleaner that she is struggling to handle the pressure that has built up over the past three years as she watches her son’s condition getting from bad to worse.

Daley said her son’s hands cannot open properly and his feet are terrible to look at with the sores brought on by his condition.

There have been days, she said, when walking has proven too much for him and it pains her heart as there is no solution in sight.

“Some pimples came out on him and just started spreading all over. When I took him to the hospital, they transferred him to Bustamante (Hospital for Children) where they said he has tylosis,” she said.

Tylosis is said to be characterised by focal thickening of the skin, hands, and feet and is associated with a very high lifetime risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.

A frustrated Daley said that her son has done several blood tests with no real solution in sight.

Dayquan has not been to school for over a year and, even when he is at home, the youngster is unable to participate in online learning as he cannot use his fingers.

“I need medication for him because a nuff time when I go up there (Bustamante Hospital) I don’t get all the medication and I have to buy them,” she said, pointing out that the small business she operates is not doing well at this time.

The single mother of two said she has no one to help her and is distraught at the thought that her son might be losing his hand.

“The other day, they (doctors) said they are going to cut his hand … after three years of going there … it hard for him to get cut.”

Bewailing the fact that her business has slowed drastically, Daley said the average sales from her business amounted to $12,000 to $15,000, with her monthly expenses exceeding $30,000 for medication, bus fare and blood tests.

“Every time I get the prescription, it has to be repeated two or three times till I’m going back,” she stressed.

Daley said she was unable to keep up with the expenses which also included rent, taking care of her two children and paying the bills.

The 29-year-old who hails from New Ground, Alexandria in St Ann, said she decided to move to Chapelton where it would be much easier for her.

“Mi need some help because him not even inna school. Mi woulda like fi mi son come back a school,” an emotional Daley said as she thanked Tresha Sinclair-Campbell, principal of the Mount Providence Primary and Infant School where her son attends.

Daley is now seeking help to find a job so that she can earn to take care of her family.

Olivia Daley can be contacted at 876-299-7044.