Desperate dad pleads for help with son's extreme eczema
A father in New Zealand is struggling to secure financial assistance for his adult son's severe, debilitating eczema. Despite providing extensive medical documentation, he reports that his applications for government support have been unsuccessful, leading to personal debt.
Why it matters
The story highlights the challenges faced by families navigating social welfare systems for chronic, non-standard medical conditions.
When Karl Andrews’ son was first diagnosed with eczema as an baby, he thought it would be an easy fix. Caring for him has been a constant struggle.
Nine to Noon 9 October 2026 9 min read Caption: Eczema can be so severe it can affect people's abilities to carry out everyday activities (file photo). Photo credit: 123rf Watching his son grapple full body eczema so bad it hospitalised him has been agonising for Karl Andrews, but he's also fighting for help to pay for his sons’ needs.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in