7 News Belize

Tarrell returns
posted (December 31, 2010)
Five year old Tarrell Sutherland left Belize in mid July in a world of woe - his rare skin condition known as icthyosis had a nasty flare up - and he needed urgent care to bring it under control and eliminate the possibility of a life threatening infection.

Well, he's been away for months in Austin Texas getting the best treatment and care that's available. Finally he returned home today and 7news was at the airport….

Jules Vasquez Reporting
Today Tarrell Sutherland came out of the arrival lounge flashing a broad smile, greeted first by his father and later on his sister.

He's been receiving treatment for almost 6 months and his mom is relieved to be home:

Jules Vasquez
"How does it feel to be home?"

Nicole McDougal, Mother
"Well good. I miss all the kids back home and everybody else but..."

Jules Vasquez
"So how is Tarrell doing right now?"

Nicole McDougal, Mother
"Tarrell is doing well, a lot of this he is doing that he couldn't do four and half years ago, he can ride bike, he is going to school, he is a little bit behind because he just started to go to school. To grasp the pencil still hurt a bit and he still have trouble doing that but he is getting there."

Jules Vasquez
"So what's his prognosis going forward?"

Nicole McDougal, Mother
"Well actually we brought him home and we will see what will happen; how well he will do, we have some cooling vests that we will use and different medication that I bring to use. Hopefully it will go good so that we can stay at home for a while before we have to go back for a follow up."

Jules Vasquez
"Will you accept because It will get hot in April, May...."

Nicole McDougal, Mother
"I already make up my mind whatever happen I will be on it."

And it is with that in mind that she keeps moving forward - knowing that this child of mixed blessings will somehow find his way:

Nicole McDougal, Mother
"You know everybody that I don't even know is like 'hi Tarrell' Tarrell you know that person 'yes'. For Christmas Tarrel got like 25 Christmas gifts."

And he was on his charm game today:

Jules Vasquez
"Young man, how are you?"

Tarrell Sutherland
"Good."

Jules Vasquez
"How are you feeling, I heard you are going to school, you haven't tell me anything. How is school?"

Tarrell Sutherland
"Good."

Jules Vasquez
"Are you glad for coming home?"

Tarrell Sutherland
"Nods head"

His often overlooked father has been holding up the home front:

Jules Vasquez
"It was difficult as well for your husband who stayed there. I was talking to him just now and he says it ain't easy running a house with six kids."

Nicole McDougal, Mother
"I know it was rough on him but it's time for men to get a little picture of what a woman goes through right."

And this mother now returns to her full time job plus keeping Tarrell as healthy as possible - these suitcases are full of ointments for his care….

If he looks a bit the worse for wear, it's because Tarrell wasn't allowed to carry his lotions on board due to in flight safety regulations and his skin was dried up by the air conditioning in the plane.

We'll keep monitoring his progress as he returns to his home in Libertad village with his six siblings. His mother Nicole had profuse thanks for Belizeans at home and in Texas who have supported them throughout. She and Tarrell also received significant donations from benevolent organizations in the United States…

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