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Four year old Tarell Sutherland is at the Ronald Macdonald home in Austin Texas tonight. You'll recall that he's the four year old who has that rare skin condition called icthyosis. With the help of benefactors including the US-based Compassionate Hearts Alliance he left Belize on January 27th. It's been almost two weeks since, and so far doctors have found that there's more than just one thing wrong with Tarrell.

Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Tarrell Sutherland was all smiles at the Houston Intercontinental Airport – knowing the help he and his family had been hoping for was at hand. His first appointment was with the dermatologist Dr. Moise Levy.  After the initial examination, Dr. Levy ordered a skin biopsy along with normal blood testing. 

And in another stroke of good luck, Dr. Levy also ordered genetic testing which a colleague from Japan offered at "no cost" to them.

Next Tarrell took a trek to this Paediatric clinic 30 miles north of Austin.  Pediatric Cardiologist, Dr. Karen Wright took a number of tests to determine how severe of a heart murmur Tarrell had.  After an EKG and a Colour Doppler Ultrasound Test, Dr. Wright was smiling....Tarrell was diagnosed with what is called a "Flow Murmur" which is a harmless murmur that will have "no effect" on Tarrell as he grows and will probably go away with time.

Tarell was also examined by another paediatrician who found severe ear infections and found that Tarrell has ascending testicles – for which he will require a small surgery. His mother Nicole McDougal is bathing him twice a day to keep his skin moist and trying several topical creams and lotions to see what will work the best on his skin. 

They are presently living here at the Ronald Macdonald House where all his doctors are 150 yards away from them. On a distinct downside, he's battling an infection on his foot which he got when his socks got stuck to an open wound on the bottom of his feet. To avoid this, he doesn't usually use socks – but he had to in Austin because of the cold weather.

That story was put together with information and photographs form James Pitre of the Compassionate Hearts Alliance. A few notes. First, the skin biopsy performed in Texas confirmed the clinical diagnosis that was made in Belize by Dr. Peter Craig, that he has Bullous ichthyosis which is a considered a rare form of the skin disorder. And while the doctors have been providing free consultations – the medical bills are mounting as he has to pay for therapy and medicine including ointment and costly antibiotics.

His family will also have to pay for the surgery to repair his testicles. He also has to see an endocrinologist who will try to find out why he has not grown to the size of a regular child. His genetic testing results – which will provide critical information - will take from two to three months to return.

You can assist the family with donations in Atlantic Bank account number 211057247. You can also stay in contact with the family by contacting Nicole MacDougal directly at 512-743-5243 and or by email at tarelbow@yahoo.com.