When Alex’s son James was born, he brought joy to the entire family.
James was Alex’s third child, and like any proud father, Alex looked forward to watching him grow. In his first months of life, James seemed healthy and was reaching his developmental milestones as expected.
But when James was around four months old, everything changed.
One evening, James became seriously ill and had to be rushed to the hospital. Doctors diagnosed him with malaria and meningitis. As they continued evaluating him, they discovered something even more concerning: fluid was building up in his brain.
James had developed hydrocephalus.
For Alex and his family, the diagnosis brought uncertainty and fear. They were referred to Kijabe Hospital, where NeuroKids and BethanyKids work together to ensure children living with hydrocephalus and spina bifida can access the care they need to thrive. NeuroKids strengthens local capacity for specialized pediatric neurosurgical treatment through training, mentorship, and support for local providers, while BethanyKids provides comprehensive care and long-term support for children and their families. Together, the partnership is helping more children like James receive life-changing treatment and ongoing care close to home.
Getting there would not be easy.
Alex earns a living selling goods to support his family. Like many people working in the informal economy, his income can vary significantly from day to day, making it difficult to save for unexpected expenses. The journey to Kijabe Hospital would take nearly five hours and cost far more than the family could easily afford. On a good day, Alex might earn enough to put food on the table, but setting aside money for travel and medical care required patience and determination.
Still, Alex was determined to get his son the care he needed.
After saving what he could, Alex and his wife made the journey to Kijabe Hospital.
When James was six months old, he arrived at Kijabe Hospital, where he was cared for by a NeuroKids-trained neurosurgical team. After evaluating James, the team recommended the Warf Procedure, an innovative treatment pioneered by NeuroKids founder Dr. Benjamin Warf. Known clinically as ETV/CPC, the procedure allows many children with hydrocephalus to be treated without lifelong dependence on a shunt, helping make effective treatment more accessible in settings where specialized follow-up care may be difficult to reach.
Like any parent, Alex worried as his son was taken into surgery. But the procedure was successful, and before long, James was able to return home with his family.
The difference was remarkable.
The headaches that had caused James so much discomfort were gone. Alex watched his son become more comfortable and active, and the family began looking toward the future with renewed hope.
Today, James continues his recovery, and Alex continues working hard to provide for his family. Looking back, he is grateful that specialized care was available when his son needed it most.
Stories like James’ are a reminder that behind every child receiving treatment is a parent doing everything possible to help them thrive. This Father’s Day, we celebrate fathers like Alex, whose love, perseverance, and commitment help children overcome extraordinary challenges and build healthier futures.
At NeuroKids, we are honored to work alongside partners like BethanyKids to ensure more children living with hydrocephalus and spina bifida can access the treatment, follow-up care, and support they need to reach their full potential.
