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Surgery gives child new hope for life this Christmas season

Date: 11/30/2010

Dec. 1, 2010

By Katelyn Gendron

Assistant Editor

SPRINGFIELD -- Ten-year-old Kyle Ocampo isn't asking for anything this Christmas. Having made it through a potentially life-saving brain surgery at Boston Children's Hospital on Nov. 10, coupled with a new Nintendo DS and this kid wants for nothing this year.

Ocampo, who was diagnosed with unilateral polymicrogyria -- a neurological deficit where only one side of the brain is developed -- at age two, has only known a life filled with daily seizures, migraines, speech delays and 31 pills a day. The surgery, which removed brain tissue causing his seizures, will hopefully be the key to a new, healthy life.

"I'm thinking positively. We didn't come this far to think negatively. I did this to give him a chance at a normal life," Christa King-Muniz, Kyle's mom, said, noting he hasn't had a seizure since the day of the surgery.

When asked about his prognosis, King-Muniz replied, "It does look really good but that could change with the slightest head bump ... [The doctor said] to treat him like a newborn baby with a soft head."

She noted her son's biggest concern now is the scar on the right side of his head, which loops around his ear. "He's wearing hats. He's 10 so he doesn't understand it's no big deal [when] we let [his] hair grow," King-Muniz added.

Ocampo has a long road still ahead, however, with a year's worth of recovery, which includes physical therapy, tutors, the same drug cocktail and doctor's visits. King-Muniz is hoping her son will return to Holyoke Community Charter School by September 2011.

"We just pray everyday and hope he'll be seizure-free and a normal kid," Marlene King, Ocampo's grandmother, said.

When asked how much the family has incurred in medical fees, King-Muniz said she wasn't sure yet as the insurance companies haven't finished processing all the claims. She noted the $11,000 that was raised at a benefit organized by her sister, Katie King and her mother, Marlene, last month has helped.

"We had such a great turnout that we ran out of seats," Marlene said of the benefit, which took place at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

There will probably be a lot more needed to cover hospital bills, prescriptions and trips to Boston for doctor's visits, she noted, which is why an account in Ocampo's name remains open at United Bank. Donations may be mailed to Kyle Ocampo, c/o United Bank, 1830 Northampton St., Holyoke, MA 01040.



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