Tonight we have a date with the television. We are going to be watching a rebroadcast of Turtle Boy on More4 at 21.00. It is a documentary about six-year old Colombian boy, Didier Montalvo with a congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), basically a mole that grew so big it covered about 40% of his body. So much so that he looked like he had a turtle shell on his back.
We are watching it because Mummy have met Didier and his mother after she saw the documentary for first time last year in April. Mummy went to visit Didier and his mother in Bogota last year. So tonight I will learn more about Didier too – and maybe someday I will get to meet him.
May’s comment: A touching documentary – it beautifully delivered the story of love and tenderness of a family, the strength and faith of a mother, the wonders of modern medicine and the unaffected innocence and charm of a very brave little boy whose ill-fortune made him wise beyond his years. It touched me deeply and made me want to do something about it. You can watch a clip of it on:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/bodyshock/video/series-27/episode-1/bodyshock-turtle-boy
If you missed this, you can also watch it on 4oD.
You can read about this on my blog – www.afterthebeginning.blogspot.com – Meeting Didier a.k.a Turtle Boy and Don’t Just Count Your Blessings.
Didier will be seven in July and he’s well. But he needs ongoing monitoring of the hundreds of nevuses all over his body. Dr. Merchan keeps an eye on him. I have received queries from viewers on how to help so I am looking into setting up a charity for Didier. I would love to get him to the Great Ormond Street Hospital for further tests and be a part of the advance research in CMN.
Latest news: There are plans for Didier to come to London in mid-March and we’re setting up a Just Giving page with Caring Matters Now to help him and his family.
