A grateful father is back in Bermuda to thank donors whose generosity helped keep his sick son alive.

Mihdi Brock, now four and a half, nearly died three times after being born with a spinal deformity, serious circulation problems and fluid on the brain.

At five and a half months Mihdi underwent major heart surgery and faced a lifetime of operations to fit rods to his spine to stop the disease, known as kyphoscoliosis, from worsening.

But the rods can break off and cause infection and might have resulted in Mihdi undergoing operations every six months until he was 18.

Marvin Brock drove his son across America three times trying to find someone who could help before hooking up with a Chinese doctor in California.

Mr. Brock says the acupuncture, Chinese herbs and breathing exercises have arrested the disease, allowing Mihdi to grow and thrive.

"He went from being a listless, non functioning boy to someone who came alive again", Mr. brock said.

The family now live in California to be near Mihdi's healer after moving from the east coast.

But the treatment is putting a strain on finances for Mr. Brock who has been unable to work whilst caring for sick Mihdi.

He is appealing to corporate Bermuda to dig deep to help the $150-a-day cost price expenses.

Donations can be sent to the Mihdi Brock fund at the Bank of Bermuda, 6 Front Street, Hamilton, HM11. The account number is 70123372.