Man in Camiguin willing to donate own eyes to son who was born with no eyes

A man in Catarman, Camiguin, is willing to donate his own eyes to his son who was born with no eyes.

In an episode of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” Junmark shared that his son’s eyelids never opened.

He always dreamt of having a son, and felt extremely happy when they were expecting Jhon Dave.

Junmark's heart broke, however, when they found out he did not have eyes, and could not see.

“Noong una kong pagkakita sa kanya, umiyak ako. Parang ang dibdib ko naninikip. Kapag nakaharap ako sa kanya, tumutulo ang aking luha. Dahil binigay ng Panginoon na ganyan siya eh ’di tanggapin kung ano siya dahil galling ’yan sa ’yo. Mamahalin mo siya habambuhay,” Junmark said.

[When I first saw him, I cried. My chest tightened. When I look at him, my tears would fall. Because God gave him to us, I will accept him for who he is. Because he’s from Him, I’d love him for the rest of my life.]

Because Jhon Dave could not see, his mother Adelfa said he would often bump into walls and doors.

His parents said Jhon Dave would cry a lot, but his tears fell from his nostrils instead of his eyes.

Adelfa said in those times, he could not breathe and they would massage his chest and let him drink water.

The father also said his son would always ask for him, especially when he’s out at work.

“Kung nakauwi na ako, maririnig niya ang aking boses, ang tawag niya sa akin ay ‘Chi.’ Lumalapit siya sa akin, gumagapang, magpapakarga tapos iiyak kapag hindi ko kukunin kaagad,” he said.

[When I get back from work, once he hears my voice, he’d call me “Chi.” He’d come to me, crawling, wanting to be carried.]

After a while, Jhon Dave’s parents noticed that their son could perceive glare from the sun.

With help from the KMJS team, Jhon Dave consulted with a doctor.

According to a pediatric ophthalmologist, Jhon Dave has cryptophthalmos, a condition where the eyelids are not properly developed from when the child is in the womb.

Dr. Cielo Roxas said that while it was a genetic condition, it also came with syndromes in other parts of the body.

“Ang gusto po natin malaman kung mayroon ba siyang eyeball. Kung mayroon at nasisilawan siya, ‘yun po ‘yung isang possibility na baka may option tayo na i-open ‘yung eyelids.”

[What we have to find out is if he has eyeballs. If he could perceive the sun’s glare, we may have the option to open his eyelids.]

However, the doctor said there was still a chance that Jhon Dave would not be able to see because his eyeballs might be too small.

The doctor recommended that he undergo an eye ultrasound and CT scan to know if his eyes were big enough and if an operation was needed.

If ever the operation was possible, they would need to find an eye donor—something Junmark was willing to be for his son.

“Papayag ako na kung maoperahan siya ibibigay ko ang mata ko sa kanya para makakita siya,” said the father.

[I’m willing to give him my eyes just so he could see.]

The KMJS team also sought guidance for the family from Resources for the Blind and gave Jhon Dave a new toy.

“We will focus on teaching the parents how to teach their children the daily living skills,” said a representative from Resources for the Blind.

Meanwhile, Adelfa reached out to the public for help.

“Nanawagan ako na sana tulungan n’yo kami sa aming anak. Gusto namin na makakita talaga siya,” Adelfa said.

“Makakita man siya o hindi, kung ano ang ibinigay ng Panginoon, aalagaan at mamahalin namin siya.”

[We want nothing more than for our son to be able to see. Since God gave Jhon Dave to us, we’ll continue to love and take care of him no matter what.] — Kaela Malig/RC/LA, GMA News