Yatatema Telaumbanua

 Born: May 1, 1990

Home: Nias, Indonesia

Yatatema (Yata) is a young man who had a rough start to life that continues to  this day. Born with what we believe to be a condition called bladder exstrophy (a condition where the abdominal wall and organs do not form  correctly during fetal development) coupled with his family’s economic  status, very little was able to be done for him.
 

Yata  waited until he was five years old for a doctor from Singapore to hear  of his condition. After a brief examination at a hospital in Medan,  Indonesia, the doctor brought him back to Singapore to undergo the  first of many surgeries that would be needed over time. In this initial  surgery they re-positioned the genitalia and closed the exposed area  from his navel to pelvic region. He was there for  approximately six-months; the first three of which were spent getting  his nutrition up before they could even operate. Once the initial  procedure was completed, the family was told he would eventually need a  new bladder. Unfortunately, due to his family’s  financial situation, the additional surgeries he needed (and still  needs) have never taken place.

Several  years later, Yata contracted an infection that put him back in the  hospital in Medan. While there the doctors trialed a catheter since  he continued to be absent of urinary retention. At this point the urine  bag proved too heavy and cumbersome for his daily life and was  embarrassing for him, so the idea was discarded. Since no more could be  done for him there, they released him from the hospital  so that he could return to his home in Nias, Indonesia.

Yatatema  has never known what it’s like to not wear diapers. Most people grow  out of them by two or three years of age, but for Yatatema they  continue to be part of his daily life. It hasn’t been easy for him or  his family. Not only has it been a physical and emotional struggle, but  it is also a large financial burden on his family. In any given month he  goes through 150-186 diapers; the cost amounts  to somewhere between $69 - $86 USD depending on current exchange rates.  It’s been a nearly impossible struggle for them to continually provide  the diapers he needs. LINC has stepped in to aid in covering the cost.

WHAT IS BLADDER EXSTROPHY?

It’s a birth defect where the abdominal wall and organs do not form correctly during fetal development which causes the bladder to stick outside of the belly. For more information on this condition, please visit UrologyHealth.org.

RARITY OF THE DISORDER

According to UrologyHealth.org, this condition occurs in about 1 out of every 50,000 live births and is slightly more common in males than females.

WHY IS REPAIR NECESSARY AND HOW IS IT TREATED?

Repair consists of moving exposed organs back into the abdominal cavity and reconstructing the penis and bladder.  Please see UrologyHealth.org for more information.

STRUGGLES FOR THE PATIENT AND FAMILY

This disorder imposes significant physical, functional, social, sexual, and psychological burdens.

CONCLUSION

Due  to Yatatema’s medical condition he’s had to face more life struggles  than anyone should ever have to face. Having no bladder control and  being  bound to diapers around the clock, day-to-day living has proven  difficult.  Never having been able to finish school and living with his  current ailment, Yata is left with limited possibilities for work. Due  to embarrassment, he tends to find odd jobs around  his village so that he’s easily able to go home and change his diapers  throughout the day. His family has been very supportive and by his side  this entire time. They told us, "we  believe you [LINC] are an answer to our prayers." Yata  would love to be married one day and have a family of his own. He prays  he can be an encouragement to others who might be facing tough times in  their lives just as he is. He would like  to encourage them to stay strong even when it feels like there is no  hope. Yata says he gets his strength and hope from Christ.

At  this time, we here at LINC are committed to monetarily support Yata on a  monthly basis for the purchasing of adult diapers. More than that,  we are committed to finding him the medical help for which he has  waited so long.

This  young man has been patiently waiting to feel “normal” his entire life.  Would you please consider partnering with us by donating today for  his surgery? 

Please be in prayer with us as we are still in the process of finding a surgeon and facility where this surgery may take place.