A teenager from Trinidad who was brought to Scotland by a Montrose couple so she could receive life-changing surgery has been given permission to stay by immigration officials.
Derek and Robina Addison brought 15-year-old Kade Romain into Scotland on a visitor’s passport expecting that the private surgery she required would be done within six months.
But because of the time it has taken to assess her problems and because the original operation to fit a hearing aid implant was postponed it was feared Kade could be sent home before the treatment could be done.
Kade was born with bilateral microtia in which the outer ear is underdeveloped, although her inner ear is thought to be normal.
Mr and Mrs Addison said they were delighted that their appeal for an extension to Kade’s visa had been granted and she is now expecting to undergo her operation next month.
“It has taken four years to get this far and the last four months have been difficult to say the least,” said Mrs Addison. “Kade’s greatest wish is to have ears and this is an amazing chance for her.
“We were told Kade would not need a visa and I was assured all the paperwork was in order.”
But in June she faced being deported amid problems with her visa.
The Addisons have now been told that Kade has been granted a further six months stay for private medical treatment.
While they will raise the £10,000 needed to pay for the bone anchored hearing aid, medical staff at Spire Murrayfield Hospital in Edinburgh have offered to carry out the cosmetic surgery following the implant surgery and have waived the £50,000 fee.
Mrs Addison, a dance teacher, first met Kade 11 years ago while visiting her care home in Port of Prince on a dance tour.
After several visits Mr and Mrs Addison were given permission to fly Kade over for private treatment.
“We are all delighted and relieved that Kade has been given permission to stay in Scotland. This means she can have the surgery she needs to give her the appearance she wants and to allow her to hear.”
The Addisons said that after the surgery they want her to return to Trinidad in better health, which they believe will give her a better chance to study and get a job.
Kade’s story touched the hearts of three young Hillside girls who recently celebrated their eighth birthdays.
When they held a joint party they asked for charity donations instead of gifts.
Cara Hutchison, Rebekah Mennie, Hannah Greig and all their friends raised around £300 and chose to give the money towards the cost of Kade’s operations.