The father of seven-year-old Mihdi Joon Brock said he has come to Bermuda to raise money so his sick son can continue treatment and stay alive.

Marvin Brock said the only reason that his son is still alive was because of the donations of Bermudians he called "angels" ? some of whom he pointed to in the Baha'i National Centre on Cedar Avenue at the weekend.

Of the six people who went to see the documentary, "The Mission for Mihdi" in Hamilton, half were "angels" there to see the miracle they helped to happen, the life of a seven-year-old boy.

Mihdi was born on Bermuda Day, May 24, in 1997 to a life that was going to be filled with challenges.

"Nature or God had a plan that he was going to live," Mr. Brock said.

At six months old, Mihdi was diagnosed with a rare disorder called progressive kyphoscoliosis, that means his back bone is severely curved.

Mihdi's spine is shaped like an "S".

When he was a baby, Mihdi also needed doctors to fix his aorta, in his heart, which had completely blocked. Doctors said that he had fluid on his brain.

Although Western medicine is the primary method of treatment of Mihdi, Eastern techniques have helped his fragile body.

As they travelled the world looking for help, in the White Cloud temple in Beijing, China, Mr. Brock discovered that one of their top doctors, Baolin Wu, had moved to California to practise acupuncture, massage and herbal treatments.

Mihdi moved to California and began to see Dr. Wu two hours a day, five times a week. Dramatic results became apparent after treatment.

"During the past year Mihdi has been able to run, swim and speak more than ever before. With the curvature of the spine not worsening, finally, he will be able to gain some weight and have a better quality of life," Mr. Brock said.

Unfortunately as he has become more healthy, the funds have decreased when the need is as great as ever."

"I don't like asking for any money for me. My teeth are rotting out. My dentist told me not to pull too many out," he said.

Mr. Brock is off work to care for his son and raise money for his treatment.

Mihdi is now in school. He is often late because after wakes from his plywood bed he must eat some of the 120 herbs prescribed by Dr. Wu.

"He's seven, he does not like to eat herbs ... If we are out by five minutes, the whole morning can be off," he said.

Every 15 minutes, Mihdi must be held up by his head to straighten the spine. Every night his feet are massaged in hot water and gets several medical massages.

There was another showing of the documentary, made in Hollywood, last night at the Chamber of Commerce.

Donations for Mihdi to continue his treatment may be made to: The Mihdi Joon Foundation, PO Box, HM 1987, Hamilton HMHX Bermuda or visit www.thelotus.com.

"This (treatment) is working, if he did have to have spinal surgery, I don't know if he would survive it ... The situation is real simple. Bermudians have raised the money for Mihdi to be here today," he said.