A Melbourne family caring for their terminally ill daughter has made a heartbreaking plea after thieves stole a delivery of life-sustaining medical supplies from their front doorstep.
Five weeks’ worth of specialised formula and feeding tubes for 12-year-old Jana were allegedly taken from the family’s home in Tarneit on Wednesday.
The supplies are essential for Jana, who lives with Leigh’s Syndrome, a rare and progressive genetic disorder that has left her reliant on tube feeding.
“It’s the only thing she can eat or drink,” her father Mohammad Hamooudeh said.
“She can’t walk, she can’t see, she can’t hear,” she can’t do anything that any other child can do,” mother Yasmin Aklakel added.
The family has already endured immense heartbreak, as most children diagnosed with Leigh’s Syndrome do not survive beyond early childhood, a reality they know all too well.
“We had my son, his name was Saif. He died at three years old. He should be 17 years old,” Aklakel said.
The theft has added further stress to a family already facing significant challenges.
“So we have already lots of hassle at home and you coming make it worse and more stress even for my kids,” Hamooudeh said.
Despite the difficulties, Jana’s sister has been inspired by her siblings’ experiences and hopes to help others in the future.
“My daughter has, it’s her first exam today and she wants to be a genetic doctor to help people that are like her sister and her brother,” Aklakel said.
The family said this was not the first time they had been targeted. About four months ago, another delivery of Jana’s specialised food, valued at $900, was also stolen.
They also reported several previous attempted thefts.
“One time they tried to break into the car. One time they tried to get, they got a hammer and they tried to hit the keypad,” Aklakel said.
In the days following the latest theft, the family hoped the people responsible would realise what they had taken and return the supplies.
“I’ve been sitting down in front of the window just waiting for them to drop them back home. I was waiting to see if they would have some empathy when they knew what it was … They didn’t.”
Images: 7News
