This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
Lilian Radido's son was diagnosed with autism at four years old, but it wasn't until a colleague explained the condition to her that she truly understood the magnitude of her son's needs.
Radido's journey began when her son, Quinton, was two-and-a-half years old and started showing signs of developmental delays. She initially thought he had hearing problems, but after consulting an ENT specialist, she was told that his hearing was fine.
It wasn't until six months later, when Quinton was still not responding to his name and had limited speech, that Radido sought a second opinion. The specialist diagnosed Quinton with autism, and Radido was shocked and heartbroken.
Despite her initial denial, Radido eventually accepted her son's diagnosis and began exploring treatment options. She enrolled Quinton in a management program, which included dietary adjustments and therapies, but the progress was slow and expensive.
Radido's struggles were compounded by the lack of understanding and support from her community. She lost friends who couldn't cope with her son's condition, and some people even associated autism with witchcraft.
Undeterred, Radido continued her search for a cure. She joined a support group for parents of autistic children and learned about stem-cell therapy in India. She is now planning to take her son to the NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute in Mumbai, where the first appointment is scheduled for July 21.
The treatment, which costs Sh1.2 million, is not covered by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), and Radido is trying to raise the funds through relatives and friends.
