GYPSY NEEDS YOUR HELP

My name is Gypsy Rayne Gutierrez. I was born 9 lbs and 21 inches after a long and difficult labor on Nov 19, 2010 (the same day as my Daddy's birthday and one day before my parent's 6th wedding anniversary), so overall a great day for my little family. I seemed perfectly healthy and happy. My parents felt elated, blessed and life was good: until about 5 months later. My parents started realizing I could not do many of the things other kids my age were doing:tummy time, sitting up by myself, holding my own bottle, tracking people and objects visually, and so began a very stressful and emotional time for all of us. After extensive genetic, metabolic and developmental testing, I finally had an MRI done, which gave them the news they could have never imagined hearing. It was confirmed that I had ischemic brain injury (which basically means damage to my brain from lack of oxygen). Although Doctors could not confirm exactly how and when it happened, they believe I suffered a stroke in utero before I was born. What now??? Well, after the initial shock and the tears, my parents did not know what the future would bring, but they did know one thing, they would do everything in their power and more to help me grow strong and have the best chance possible for recovery. I started my therapies right around my first birthday and they have helped me tremendously. Physical, Occupational and Speech three times a week. My Daddy takes me to every single one and works right alongside of me for hours and hours:he is my hero. When I first started therapy I could barely sit up by myself, I did not crawl until I was 2 years old and I still cannot walk on my own but I am practicing every day. I have Hypotonia (low muscle tone) in my lower body, which makes standing difficult. My coordination and balance are also affected, which makes it harder for me to take steps. My vision is poor and I have something called Cortical Visual Impairment, which means that, although my eyes are healthy, my brain cannot always interpret correctly what I am seeing. All of these things have put me way behind other kids my age, but I am making great progress and getting better and better every day with the help of my family and therapists. Unfortunately, my insurance will no longer cover any of my therapies or special equipment past my 3rd birthday in November so my parents and I would like to ask you, our friends and family, for help. My current goal is to walk on my own and, since I have already outgrown the toddler walkers you would buy at the store and the play pen where I do most of my practicing, my parents would like to buy me a special walker (not like what you'd see at Walmart, more like the ones little old ladies use but way cooler) and something called a crash pit, which is an enclosure made of thick high density foam (like what you see in gymnasiums), where I could pull up to stand, walk, fall and get back up to do it all over again about 150 times a day without getting hurt. This special needs equipment is very expensive and, unfortunately, also not covered by my insurance. This will be gear that I will use for a long time to come. There will also be a need for many more doctor visits, special therapies and extra therapeutic equipment. My Mom and Dad have spent over $15,000 this year on helping me get well and they need a little help from our friends and family. You can donate any amount you want, and every little bit helps me reach my goal. I am making great progress every day and with your added help will be walking even sooner! I was kind of wanting ballet and guitar lessons instead, but that will have to wait just a little bit, so for now, this is my wish for my 3rd Birthday and whatever you can donate to make it a reality would be VERY MUCH APPRECIATED:THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING MY STORY:to be continued with great, positive and awesome things to come.