Ailing Boy Needs Help to Go Home

Using money saved from his disability checks, Dwayne Munns came to California from Australia last month to satisfy his longtime dream of visiting Disneyland.

But on the fourth day of his two-week vacation, the 19-year-old with muscular dystrophy suffered respiratory failure and was rushed to Western Medical Center-Anaheim. Munns’ mother, Lynette, said she was told by doctors that her son’s potassium levels were extremely low, which may have caused massive dehydration.

He is in fair condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

The family is scheduled to return Wednesday to Condon Q, a community in northeastern Australia, if only they can raise the $30,000 needed to pay for the flight. Because of Dwayne Munns’ condition, the family must book an entire row of seats and purchase round-trip tickets for a therapist and registered nurse to accompany them.

The hospital bill is expected to total $48,000. Family members said their insurance carrier will not pay for the medical treatment, but Western Medical Center officials said they will waive the fee once the insurance company notifies them that it will not pay.

“That’s a godsend,” Lynette Munns said. “After we found out that the insurance company would not pay, we were devastated because we don’t have the money to pay for it.”

Lynette Munns, who has lost two brothers to muscular dystrophy and has two nephews now battling the illness, said her son had never traveled outside Australia and wanted more than anything to visit the Magic Kingdom. His doctor in Australia assured her that it was safe for him to make the trip.

“He’s heard so much about Disneyland, and has wanted to come here for so long,” Lynette Munns said. “Even though all of this has happened, he’s still had a great time.”

Anyone wishing to help the family should send donations to Western Medical Center-Anaheim, c/o Dwayne Munns’ medical account, 1025 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805.