Chiara's Treatment Appeal
Donation protected
Chiara's journey since birth has been very traumatic. What began as simple treatment for her Talipes (clubfoot), soon changed to a more serious diagnosis that is thought to impede her ability to ever walk, talk, or live a long life. Chiara has been given many labels since an MRI conducted at 5 months of age found she had a rare genetic condition called Bilateral Perisylvian Polymicrogyria, Microcephaly, Quadriparetic Cerebral Palsy, and an off shoot to this, Global Development Delay . All the labels come down to one thing – brain injury. The medical team attribute the aforementioned diagnosis to a possible stroke Chiara had in utero.
If someone was to tell us a year ago that we would give birth to a beautiful girl, yet would spend our days rehabilitating her as a full-time job, we wouldn’t of believed them. After all, we already had a perfectly healthy 4 year old named Grace. Our family time has been replaced with therapies, specialists, tests, research and over 150 hospital visits to date.
Chiara requires constant assistance in all daily activities: feeding, drinking, dressing and bathing. She relies on us to act as her body, as she is unable to roll, sit, stand or even walk independently. As parents we want to be able to provide her with as much opportunity as possible.
We would like to return to Philadelphia every 6 months for ongoing specialised medical treatment for Chiara, in order to help her reach her highest potential. The program with the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP) in Philadelphia has improved the lives of many children with conditions similar to Chiara's. Some children with severe disabilities, like Chiara's, have undertaken this program and have even gone on to study at university. We would also like to access other highly specialised healing modalities, special needs equipment and brain development opportunities.
We are hopeful about the possibilities for Chiara. Funding for the IAHP program is not available from the Australian government.
Here is her story in the local media:
Herald Sun Newspaper Article
You can follow Chiara's journey as she defy's the odd's via our visual diary blog:
Chiara's Journey
Thank you for your amazing support.
With love and gratitude
Mauro & Natalie
If someone was to tell us a year ago that we would give birth to a beautiful girl, yet would spend our days rehabilitating her as a full-time job, we wouldn’t of believed them. After all, we already had a perfectly healthy 4 year old named Grace. Our family time has been replaced with therapies, specialists, tests, research and over 150 hospital visits to date.
Chiara requires constant assistance in all daily activities: feeding, drinking, dressing and bathing. She relies on us to act as her body, as she is unable to roll, sit, stand or even walk independently. As parents we want to be able to provide her with as much opportunity as possible.
We would like to return to Philadelphia every 6 months for ongoing specialised medical treatment for Chiara, in order to help her reach her highest potential. The program with the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP) in Philadelphia has improved the lives of many children with conditions similar to Chiara's. Some children with severe disabilities, like Chiara's, have undertaken this program and have even gone on to study at university. We would also like to access other highly specialised healing modalities, special needs equipment and brain development opportunities.
We are hopeful about the possibilities for Chiara. Funding for the IAHP program is not available from the Australian government.
Here is her story in the local media:
Herald Sun Newspaper Article
You can follow Chiara's journey as she defy's the odd's via our visual diary blog:
Chiara's Journey
Thank you for your amazing support.
With love and gratitude
Mauro & Natalie
Organizer
Natalie Roberts
Organizer
Montmorency VIC
