Even a Quick Cat Nap Could be Deadly for 12-Year-Old Boy

I am by necessity hooked up to an oxygen condensor that runs my electric bill through the roof. Here in Jacksonville FL the utility company laughed when I asked them for an allowance for medical equiptment that must be run 24/7. I am trying to live on $600.00 a month SS payments. My electric bill is almost half that! So much for JEA's Helping Neighbor program.

Gina....Are you kidding...you have got to be kidding....it would be
great if the electric company would give them a break...but that wont happen because utility companies such as electric, gas, water, do not give a hoot about him or anybody else..only themselves, and the money they make off of the people. I truly feel
for the boy and his parents, and pray that something can be found or happen to make this go away....but I would not bet my cookies
that the electric company would do anything to help....As a matter of fact I "Double Dog Dare" that electric company that deals with this familie's electrical needs, to read this and reply and step foreward and show any humanitarian side to them, and offer some great deal for this family....G-d bless this family and boy....

KEN: You probably qualify for assistance thru a federal program called LIHEAP that pays utility bills (up to twice a year) for elderly and disabled people in dire financial need. It has limited montly funds, and services people on based on both need AND on a first-come first-served basis, so get in line early, on/near the first of the month (it pays only past due bills, via a credit applied next month). Call your welfare office and/or "Elder Services" in your area to see who administers LIHEAP in your area; then go apply, bring all financial & disability docs, bills expenses etc; and ask alot of questions! (LIHEAP is gov's name of the Neighbor Helpin Neighbor program that people donate money on thier local monthly electric bills).

Please just report them by clicking on the exclamation mark in the "voting: section!

Because he doesn't have sleep apnea. Therefore a cpap doesn't work. He COMPLETELY stops breathing, he doesn't just miss breaths here and there like sleep apnea patients.

I also am on a cpap and love it .But I am afraid that this is much more serious.

This boy's problem is neurological. His receptors are not responding to an increase in CO2 (carbon dioxide) therefore his brain fails to send a signal to his body to breathe. Sleep Apnea is usually due to an anatomical abnormality.

You have no freakin idea what the hell you are talking about. My niece has this condition, don't you think if it were as simple as using a c-pap machine they would have, instead of cutting a hole in his throat and putting in a trek? ago

They can't do that because that's not his problem. It's not that he stops breathing multiple times It's the fact that his brain doesn't automaticaly control breathing so he has to conciously think about it and you can't conciously think while you sleep

Hypoventilation means you are retaining Carbon Dioxide. Due to this, his pH will become acidic and cause his body to not function properly. "Acute ventilatory failure" to be exact. This is completely different than requiring a CPAP....

Thousands of companies and charities do offer help, but people have to apply for help, and qualify. Fortunately this family had money to spend, but thousands of families simply don't. We can ALL help by donating funds, time, labor, services, products, ideas, and by holding and contributing to both national and local charities and fundraisers, etc. Every little bit helps!

Kate, what would be REALLY FANTASTIC is if each and every one of us were actively supporting these programs in some way, big or small; and not just hoping that OTHER PEOPLE will just take care of the worlds problems!

If nothing else, please donate blood this week; your donation alone may save up to 3 lives! BE AWARE: right now many bloodbanks are in desperate need of platelets!