KENTRELL BECKLES
West Palm Beach
Brain tumor threatens boy’s life, family’s future
Not long after Kentrell Beckles started kindergarten, he hurt himself while playing.
“He had run into a pole,” said his mother, Tangela Guess. “Just ran into it, and I said, ‘Kentrell, didn’t you see the pole?’ I knew there was no way he saw it.”
Tangy, 23, took her son, the oldest of her three boys, for an eye exam that fall, in 2005. It led to a frightening diagnosis.
Kentrell, now 7, has a potentially fatal brain tumor.
Kentrell has had two surgeries, the most recent a few weeks ago when about half of the malignant tumor was removed. Surgeons can’t get to the part of the tumor closest to the optic nerve to remove it.
“Kentrell’s sight in his left eye is zero,” says his mom, “and his right eye is 20/400. He has no peripheral vision.”
Tangy, who was working full time as a lab technician when Kentrell was diagnosed, had to quit work to care for him and his brothers, Rodney, 4, and Leon, 2.
Then the car quit once and for all, leaving her to memorize train schedules from her home in West Palm Beach to Miami and bus schedules to the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center for his treatment. Kentrell faces daily radiation treatments for six weeks.
Tangy gets by on Social Security disability — $620 a month — and $230 each month in food stamps. Her medical bills for Kentrell are paid in full by Medicaid.
“Kentrell has good days and bad days,” she says, “but now more bad days than good days. He can go outside, but now his legs are starting to bother him.”
For starters, Tangy needs a car to take her son for treatments. Now it takes a full day — with all three kids — to get treatment in West Palm Beach. Tri-Rail to Miami is an overnight stay with friends or her sister.
She never gets a break for a long bath, a walk or even short time away from the boys. She doesn’t have any relatives locally that she can count on for help.
“Pretty much it’s just me and him 24/7,” Tangy says, smiling. “Kentrell is not my sick baby. He’s just my child.”
Kentrell Beckles’ wishes
What Tangy asked for: Cash, gas cards and gift cards for clothing, furniture, toys and groceries.
What she received: Kentrell received the No. 1 wish on his list - Legos - and Rodney and Leon got plush toys that they love. Also, from anonymous donors, $200 gift cards to Wal-Mart and $200 for Target, plus groceries from Willye Watson’s Riviera Beach food bank. The members of Tangy’s church, Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist, have provided transportation to Kentrell’s radiation and other treatments, plus cash. In addition, Tangy’s brother, Junior, held a toy drive in Miami, which brought more toys for the boys.
What she says: “I’ll remember how these toys made Kentrell smile. Just people wanting to help have increased his will, his wanting to get better. This has helped strengthen the bond for our family. I’ll remember it forever.”
Nominated by: The Pediatric Oncology support team at The Child Life Institute
Address: 5325 Greenwood Ave. #301, West Palm Beach, FL 33407.
Phone: (561) 882-6336
Its mission: The POST team is a psychological and social support team dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families.
No Comments » Uncategorized
