For months, Emily watched helplessly as a large swelling on her baby boy’s face continued to grow, changing his appearance. Despite taking him from one hospital to another, she was repeatedly told that little Ethan could not be treated. But the devoted mother refused to accept that her son had no chance.

Ethan, now 20 months old, was diagnosed with a congenital condition known as meningoencephalocele, accompanied by a brain malformation called schizencephaly. The condition caused a large protrusion around his temple, leaving his tiny face visibly distorted.

His mother, Emily, first noticed the unusual swelling when he was just 20 days old. From that moment, she began a desperate search for medical help, carrying her newborn from smaller hospitals to larger medical centres, hoping someone could offer a solution.

Yet each visit ended in disappointment, with doctors declining to take on his case.

Although the repeated setbacks left the family heartbroken, Emily never stopped believing that somewhere, someone might be able to help her son.

Her hope was reignited when she came across an article about a patient in the UK who had undergone successful treatment for a similar condition. She immediately contacted the doctor by email, explaining her son’s situation and sending details of his condition.

To her relief, the doctor asked her to bring Ethan in for an examination.

At Children’s Hospital, the little boy was finally admitted, and doctors began making plans for reconstructive surgery to repair the affected area of his skull and face. For the first time, the family could see a possible path towards a brighter future.

But just as hope seemed within reach, another devastating obstacle emerged.

Emily had initially believed that health insurance would cover most of the treatment. However, when the family received the surgical schedule, they discovered that specialised medical materials required for the operation were not covered. Even after insurance, they would need to pay an estimated 40–50 million VND.

For a family already struggling to make ends meet, the amount was simply beyond their means.

Emily made the heartbreaking decision to ask doctors to let her take her son home temporarily while she tried to raise the money.

“Of course, every mother wants her child to receive treatment as soon as possible. It hurts to see my little boy carrying such a large swelling on his face. When we finally found a doctor willing to help him, I was overjoyed. But right now, my husband and I simply don’t have the money,” she explained.

The family had already endured another devastating financial blow. They had spent years saving nearly 100 million VND, hoping to build a more secure future for their children. But after being persuaded to lend an additional 150 million VND to a landlord in exchange for accommodation, they lost their savings when the property was seized by the bank and the landlord disappeared.

The couple were left with substantial debts and no way to recover their money.

Emily later became pregnant with their second child and had to stop working, making their financial situation even more difficult.

Originally from Khanh Hoa, Emily and her husband, Michael, had moved to southern Vietnam around ten years earlier to study and build their lives. She works in real estate sales, but months without successful sales have left her earning only a basic salary of around 3 million VND. Michael also works in sales, with his income depending on how much he manages to sell.

With two young children, rent and everyday expenses to cover, there is little left at the end of each month.

Doctors at Children’s Hospital explained that Ethan’s condition could be treated through reconstructive surgery involving the skull and facial area. They considered the prognosis encouraging, with the possibility of significant improvement and a relatively normal cosmetic appearance following treatment.

However, the specialised materials needed for the procedure came at a considerable cost.

For Emily and Michael, the hardest part is knowing that a treatment option exists, yet being unable to secure the money needed to give their son that opportunity.

“We have never stopped hoping that our son can have a better future. We don’t want him to grow up believing that he has to live with this condition simply because his parents couldn’t afford the operation,” Emily said.