The father of three children, who are all suffering from the same degenerative nerve disease, has appealed to the government to help with treatment and the provision of special needs equipment.

Ibrahim Al-Yahya lives in Qasim and said he has to travel three times a week from his hometown to Riyadh, a distance of over 400 km one-way, to follow up on the treatment of his three children.

Al-Yahya told Arab News his suffering started with the illness of his son Suleiman, whom doctors diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a genetic disease affecting the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement.

When his two other sons, Muaadh and Asam, were born, it was discovered they also suffered from the same disease.

“In 2008, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz ordered treatment for the children in the Czech Republic at the state’s expense. The state allocated $20,000 (SR75,000) for the three children and their mother, but the money was not enough,” said Al-Yahya.

He said the government gave a further SR15,000 to complete the treatment of his children. “Their condition improved by about 5 percent, and their case is being reviewed every six months.” He said the family does not have money to continue the treatment abroad. In addition, there is not enough cash for basic daily items.

He said his children are now being treated at King Fahd Hospital in Riyadh. “I travel 400 km, the distance between Qasim where I live and Riyadh, three times a week, so my children can get treatment.”

Al-Yahya said the Ministry of Social Affairs gave him a vehicle, but it is not fully equipped to accommodate the three children, only one. “Even our rented house is not fit for children with special needs. There is no driveway especially for wheelchairs and the toilets cannot accommodate them. My son fell and broke his leg trying to use the toilet,” he said.

He appealed to Qasim’s governor to provide special equipment for his sons at their home.