A 7-year-old boy in West Africa who was going blind can now see again, thanks to life-changing eye surgery provided by the Mercy Ships charity.

Mamadou, whose last name was not provided, was born with bilateral cataracts, a condition in which cataracts develop in both eyes before birth or soon afterward.

When left untreated, the condition can lead to total blindness in some cases.

COVID LOCKDOWNS LED TO SPIKE IN KIDS’ VISION PROBLEMS, 1 IN 3 NOW NEARSIGHTED, STUDY FINDS

“We suspected that the cataracts were there already when Mamadou was born, but slowly they got worse,” Dr. Paul Rudalevicius, an eye surgeon who volunteers with Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone, told Fox News Digital.

Inherited cataracts and malnutrition are common causes of the condition, the doctor said.

Mamadou, who is from Waterloo, Sierra Leone, “wasn’t able to see much of anything,” according to Ella Hawthorne, an optometrist who also works with Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone.

“He could tell there was a light that was being turned on, but he couldn’t even really tell that a hand was being waved in front of his face,” she told Fox News Digital.

WOMAN WITH MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY COMPLETES 12 HALF-MARATHONS IN WHEELCHAIR FOR CHARITY: ‘WON’T LET IT DEFINE ME’

“He really couldn’t see the world around him very much.”

Mamadou’s mother, Salematu, recalled the poor treatment her son received due to his poor eyesight.

Mamadou is pictured before receiving treatment from the charity Mercy Ships. He struggled to walk because he would trip over objects, and he couldn’t see well enough to read or write. (SWNS)

“His friends always provoked him, and also laughed at him because of his condition,” she told Fox News Digital. “He was going to school, but could not see or write clearly.”

The boy was also having trouble walking and picking up objects, and was very sensitive to sunlight.

A life-changing surgery

Salematu tried several times over the years to get her son the surgery he needed, but local hospitals would not do it. Over time, his vision worsened.

Then Mercy Ships docked its hospital ship, the Global Mercy, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to provide safe surgeries to residents for free — and Mamadou was selected.

“It was so wonderful to see him looking around and starting to perceive the world.”

Advertisement

Hawthorne recalled her first encounter with the boy.

AMERICAN DOCTOR, FUELED BY FAITH, BRINGS HEALTH AND HEALING TO RURAL SUDAN: ‘GOD IS IN CHARGE’ 

“Meeting Mamadou during patient selection here in Sierra Leone was just special,” she told SWNS.

“He is wonderful and quiet at first, but once you get to know him more, he comes out of his shell and engages you.” 

After the surgery, doctors gave Mamadou a pair of UV sunglasses to wear as he got used to his new vision. (SWNS)

Time was of the essence for Mamadou’s surgery, Dr. Rudalevicius noted. 

“If the cataracts are not removed soon enough, the brain can never learn to see.”

On Feb. 7, assisted by a team of medical volunteers, the doctor performed a small incision cataract surgery.

JOHNNY DEPP VISITS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL DRESSED AS CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW IN ‘MAGICAL MOMENT’

Although the procedure took only two hours, it “represented the start of a new vision and future for Mamadou,” according to a Mercy Ships press release.

When the eye patches were removed the next day, it was a little confusing and overwhelming at first, Mercy Ships noted, which is a normal reaction in children.

Mamadou is pictured after receiving eye surgery from the charity Mercy Ships. Time was of the essence for Mamadou’s surgery, his doctor noted. (SWNS)

“He looked around, trying to understand new information and identify unexpected objects,” the release said.

“His brain was not yet used to processing such a high level of visual activity — but after seeing the crowd around him smile and wave, Mamadou quickly joined in, sharing his bright and endearing smile in return.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Doctors gave Mamadou a pair of UV sunglasses to wear as he got used to his new vision. 

The boy began playing with toys, coloring and riding a toy motorcycle around the ward.

Mamadou receives surgical treatment from the charity Mercy Ships in October 2024. (SWNS)

“Being able to witness the patches being removed from his eyes was such an absolute blessing and a privilege,” Hawthorne told Fox News Digital. 

“It was so wonderful to see him looking around and starting to perceive the world and being able to absorb some of the information around him.”

“It was so special, and you could see the joy that had started to build up inside him. It was a really good reminder of why I’m here and the impact our work is having.”

‘Celebration of sight’

A month after Mamadou’s vision was restored, the boy and his mother returned to the ship for a “celebration of sight, a ceremony for patients who have received successful eye surgeries,” according to Mercy Ships.

Salematu shared her relief and happiness with the outcome.

“My son can see me!” she said. “My son can go back to the community and interact with other children!”

After the surgery, the boy began playing with toys, coloring and riding a toy motorcycle around the ward. (SWNS)

“Unlike before, Mamadou can now move around without jumping his steps or falling, even when the sun is out.”

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

Salematu hopes that her son will one day grow up to become a medical doctor and make a difference of his own, according to the release.

Dr. Rudalevicius added to Fox News Digital, “I hope that he will be able to attend school, to learn, to play with other children, and in the future maybe support his family.”

Parents aim to teach their children good manners by saying “please” and “thank you” from an early age – but these polite words, plus other actions, may mean much more than people realize.

Particularly when parents hear “thank you” from their children, they may experience improved mental well-being and less stress, according to a recent study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology. 

The study involved 593 parents of children ranging in age from 4 to 17 years old. 

10 TIPS TO LIVE TO BE 100: ‘FAR MORE THAN WISHFUL THINKING,’ SAY LONGEVITY EXPERTS 

The parents — who were either married or in romantic relationships — completed a survey regarding the impact of gratitude within their family unit. 

Data was assessed regarding two groups of children — 4 to 12 years and 13 to 17 years — to determine if a child’s age impacted the parents’ feelings of gratitude.

Gratitude from both older and younger children is linked to lower parental stress, the study results revealed. 

In addition, gratitude appears to have a greater impact on mothers than fathers.

Gratitude can reduce stress for parents by providing a sense of affirmation, said Rajasekhar Kannali, M.D., a child and adolescent psychiatrist with Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, who was not involved in the study. 

“Appreciation can also strengthen the parent-child bond, creating a more harmonious family dynamic.”

“Knowing that their efforts are appreciated can alleviate feelings of overwhelm and exhaustion, fostering a more positive outlook on parenting,” Kannali told Fox News Digital. 

“This appreciation can also strengthen the parent-child bond, creating a more harmonious family dynamic.”

THE TOP 5 WORRIES — AND 5 WORST SLEEP HABITS — THAT ARE KEEPING AMERICANS UP AT NIGHT

Parents often appreciate hearing “thank you” from their children because it reinforces their efforts and sacrifices, the doctor said. 

“When children express gratitude, it helps parents feel seen and valued, reminding them that their love and dedication have a positive impact,” Kannali said.

“Gratitude creates a positive feedback loop, benefiting both children and parents by fostering a culture of appreciation and emotional connection.” (iStock)

Additionally, when parents feel acknowledged, they’re often more motivated and engaged in their role, which can lead to happier interactions and a more fulfilling family environment.

“Ultimately, gratitude creates a positive feedback loop, benefiting both children and parents by fostering a culture of appreciation and emotional connection,” Kannali said.

Here’s more insight.

How does gratitude springboard better parental mindsets?

Gratitude from children helps parents feel less stressed, more appreciated and happier overall, simply because it shows that the child cares, according to Mia Rosenberg, LCSW, a psychotherapist with Upsider Therapy in New York. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“With a small act of acknowledgment of what the parent just provided to [the kids], parents often can feel a sense of reward — which can then act as a catalyst for them to do it again,” she said.

“The goal is to show satisfaction with what we have and lean into feeling gratitude for those ideas or items,” said one expert.  (iStock, courtesy of user Jacob Wackerhausen)

How can parents instill gratitude in kids? 

Children look to their parents for cues on how to react and respond to situations, Rosenberg said.

“Doing things like modeling appreciation to children can help show them the value of appreciating any gift or act of kindness,” she noted. 

For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health

When parents model language like “I feel so lucky that it’s a beautiful day” or “I am so grateful that we have what we need every day,” these are useful ways to show appreciation to a child. 

“The goal is to show satisfaction with what we have and lean into feeling gratitude for those ideas or items,” Rosenberg said.

Instilling gratitude as a core life trait in children can be very impactful, experts told Fox News Digital.   (iStock)

Child psychiatrist Kannali with Novant Health agreed that instilling gratitude as a core life trait in children can be very impactful. 

“Parents who use strategies such as discussing feelings, encouraging empathy, celebrating efforts without just measuring outcomes, creating gratitude rituals, modeling gratitude while teaching reflection, and avoiding overindulgence can help children cultivate a genuine sense of gratitude that extends beyond polite expressions,” he said. 

In effect, the expert added, these actions are “nurturing a lifelong appreciation for people and experiences.”

Diagnoses of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) are on the rise among adults in the U.S.

Approximately 15.5 million adults had an ADHD diagnosis in 2023, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

That’s equivalent to around 6% of adults in the country, or one in 16.

Around half of these diagnoses didn’t come until adulthood.

ADHD AFFECTS 1 IN 9 KIDS IN US, NEW REPORT REVEALS: ‘SHAME AND STIGMA’

The agency gathered this data from the National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System between October and November 2023.

The study also found that adults with ADHD were more likely to be 50 or younger (84.5% versus 51.2%) and more likely to be non-Hispanic White (70.4% versus 61.4%).

Those earning less than the federal poverty level were also more likely to be diagnosed (22.1% versus 12.3%), per the CDC.

ADHD IN MALES VERSUS FEMALES: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES IN SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS

Around one-third of the adults with ADHD reported taking some type of stimulant medication, but more than 71% said the prescription was difficult to obtain. 

Around half of diagnosed adults said they had ever used telehealth to receive treatment for ADHD.

The study did have some limitations, the CDC acknowledged.

Electronic devices and social media could contribute to the spike in diagnoses, a psychotherapist said. (Marina Demidiuk)

“First, self-reports of ADHD diagnosis might be subject to recall and reporting biases and were not validated against medical records,” the agency stated in the report. 

“Second, surveys with commercial online panels have low response rates and might underrepresent certain subpopulations, increasing the potential for nonresponse bias.”

COVID LOCKDOWNS INCREASED ADHD RISK AMONG 10-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN, NEW STUDY FINDS

A third limitation is that the sociodemographic and geographic data were collected before the survey was administered, which “could have affected the demographic distribution for some variables, such as age, education, household income and metropolitan status,” the report stated.

A psychotherapist weighs in

Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in Manhattan and Washington, D.C., said he has a new patient coming in each week with concerns about ADHD.

“There certainly are those accurately diagnosed with ADHD and in need of medication — however, much like the GLP-1 phenomenon, there’s a shortage of medication because of all the people using it off-label or not truly in need of it,” he told Fox News Digital.

“The first line of treatment should be psychological and behavioral intervention.”

There are also many patients who don’t actually have the disorder, but have been self-diagnosed through online research, according to Alpert.

“This fits into a broader phenomenon in our nation where we have become too therapized, too diagnosed, and frankly, too dependent upon people like me,” he said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

When it comes to the treatment of ADHD and other mental health disorders, Alpert says, “the first line of treatment should be psychological and behavioral intervention — not necessarily medications, as they are not without side effects.”

Around one-third of the adults with ADHD reported taking some type of stimulant medication, but more than 71% said the prescription was difficult to obtain.  (iStock)

The psychotherapist also flagged electronic devices and social media as potentially contributing to the spike in diagnoses.

“The very nature of these is to provide stimulation through a device where the brain is continuously engaged — and, for many people, overly engaged,” Alpert cautioned. 

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

“This leads to distractibility, disorganization and the inability to complete tasks, among other hallmark features of the diagnosis.”

“By making significant behavioral and lifestyle changes, one can start to minimize their symptoms and make improvements, thereby lessening their reliance on medication.”