Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Billy Hughes had the odds stacked against him at birth. Two years later, the Laflin toddler and his family struggle to defy those odds. On Saturday, the community will do its best to improve his chances.
The Liberty Tax Charity Golf Tournament will benefit Billy Hughes and his fight with cerebral palsy. The tournament, in its eighth year, tees off Saturday at the Wilkes-Barre Municipal Golf Course in Laurel Run. Registration is at 7 a.m. with shotgun start an hour later. The cost is $90 per golfer, and there’s also a $25 dinner only option.
Liberty Tax officials are hoping to raise $13,000 for stem cell treatments in July. When officials from Liberty Tax approached his parents Bill and Carol with its intentions, the family was more than appreciative to accept the tournament’s help.
“It’s amazing,” Carol Hughes said. “We feel very honored and happy all of these people have come and helped us. We’re very thankful. It’s unbelievable.”
Two-year old Billy was born prematurely via an emergency cesarean when a blood clot in his umbilical cord stymied blood and oxygen to his vital organs. It caused a major brain injury, and he has approximately 20 percent of his brain ability left. In addition, the list of conditions Billy suffers from is long and trying: cerebral palsy, hypoxicischemic encephalopathy (HIE), developmental delay, microcephaly and cortical vision impairment.
Despite it all, Carol says Billy is “still a happy kid” that often smiles. He’s gained a steady weight and a surgery performed last year, according to Carol, has allowed Billy to become more aware of his environment, more vocal, less tense, and cognizant of sounds.
To improve his condition, Billy must undergo a second stem cell treatment in Panama. His cerebral palsy was undiagnosed at birth, and his parents did not save the umbilical cord. Because federal law requires this for stem cell treatment, Carol said the Hughes family must travel to Panama for the operation. Each surgery costs $20,000, not including flights, lodging or travel expenses.
“The treatment is not available in the USA,” Carol said. “For us, we should have saved the umbilical cord’s blood. At the time, we didn’t know.”
After the Panamanian stem cell operation and a Anat Baniel Method (ABM) therapy in California, the Hughes are seeking positive results that will make life easier for their child.
“I hope he gets better with his vision after this treatment,” Carol said. “We’re hoping that it will make him still, calm and OK with his movement. Maybe one day, he’ll be able to walk.”
At present, Billy eats from a feeding tube and battles infantile spasms and seizures throughout the day. Dependent on family and nurses for everything, Billy can only perform non-purpose coordinated movements.
“Everything is so unknown,” Carol said. “We’re trying so that he can hopefully have a better life. As long as he’s happy, we’re OK with the stuff.
“I don’t think there are words to explain my gratitude to this community for helping our son.”
Billy and his parents will be in attendance at the golf tournament. His visual impairment will prevent him from seeing any of the high-fives, birdies or chip shots. Carol said Billy will still have a smile on his face waiting at the 18th green.
“He likes the sound,” she said. “He’ll probably be really excited with all of the noise.”
To make a donation towards Billy’s fight against cerebral palsy, visit http://tlgets.me/hmn