Man with Pott's disease gets a new wheelchair from GMA Kapuso Foundation

A man who is suffering from Pott's disease, the most dangerous form of musculoskeletal tuberculosis, has received a new wheelchair from the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to a report on "24 Oras," Monday, Esteban Gacutan, who hails from Victoria, Tarlac, cannot walk or stand as Pott's disease causes bone destruction, deformity, and paraplegia.

He had been using a wheelchair to get around, but it was already falling apart and he could not afford to buy a new one.

"Eto pasira na nga po kasi hindi naman talaga pang heavy-duty kasi ito na po talaga 'yung pang araw-araw kong pagkilos-kilos sa bahay," Gacutan said.

Gacutan wrote to GMA Kapuso Foundation to ask for a wheelchair.

In response, the foundation not only provided him with a wheelchair, but also with vitamins, food, and consultation with a doctor.

"'Yung Pott's disease po ay TB [tuberculosis] of the bone, usually 'yung spinal cord niya ang affected kaya hindi po sya nakakalakad. Hindi naman directly related pero baka po sa pagkakatama po ng likod niya pwedeng humina ang resistensya niya," Dr. Nelin C. Tacasa said.

"Hindi agad nadidetect ang Pott's disease napapansin late na nanghihina, pananakit ng likod," she added.

Gacutan thanked the GMA Kapuso Foundation for helping him in his time of need.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa GMA Kapuso Foundation kasi 'yung request ko po at tsaka nabisita n'yo po ako rito malaking utang na loob ko po ito sa inyo," he said.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—Kimberly Tsao/MGP, GMA Integrated News