Two brothers with ‘twisted legs’ have appealed for help for much-needed surgery.
Yosvany Hernández, 22, and his brother Yordany, 21, have severely deformed lower limbs and can barely walk.
Their mother, Yaineris Roque, said the condition is caused by a lack of calcium and phosphorus in their bones.
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She said she also has the disability, known as osteomalacia, along with her youngest son, but the eldest two are hardest impacted by it.
The brothers have only had one operation on their legs nearly three years ago, but with no improvement.
Yosvany, who lives in the Cuban city of Cienfuegos, located southeast of Havana, said they first started to experience walking difficulties when they were five years old.
The family has appealed for help as they cannot receive the care they need in Cuba due to the economic crisis there, as reported by Need To Know.
The concerned mum said she is being constantly palmed off by her doctor.
Yaineris said: “It’s all a lie, the answer I always get is that the clinic is under repair, that there are no resources, that we will have to wait, that I should understand the situation in the country.
“But my sons are now 22 and 21 years old, and they’ve only had one operation two and a half years ago.
“And I don’t see any improvement in them.”
Due to Cuba’s troubled health system, Yaineris is hoping to raise funds for treatment overseas.
She said in a video post: “I sincerely ask you, if you believe my children, with the support of all of you, could be treated in another hospital outside Cuba, where they could improve their health and enjoy a better life, please help me.”
Yaineris said she also has the same condition and needs crutches to move around.
She described herself as a mother who fights tirelessly for the well-being of her children.
She said: “Our lives haven’t been easy, but we will never give up in the face of difficulties.
“We will keep moving forward and never look back.”
The family has asked anyone wishing to make a donation to contact Yosvany on his ‘Guerrero Cubano’ Facebook page.
Cuba’s health service has been facing a severe crisis due to a lack of resources, medical supplies, and specialised personnel.
As a result, many families are seeking help overseas for conditions that cannot be adequately treated on the island.
Some of them turn to social media to appeal for help, while others apply for humanitarian visas to access medical treatments in other countries.
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