Save Baby Palo
Donation protected
I started this campaign to help assist my cousin, Monica. She has been through so much to overcome obstacles related to her pregnancy. At this point in time she is currently 7 1/2 months pregnant. Here is her story:
My baby boy was diagnosed with “lethal skeletal dysplasia” when I was 20 weeks pregnant. They advised me that he would not survive after giving birth and that they recommended terminating the pregnancy. At the time of diagnosis, I was estranged from the father as a result of a restraining order I had to put on him for physical abuse. I was out of work, and barely getting by.
When the doctors gave me the news, they told me that my baby boy would not live and would most likely die after being born. I was absolutely devastated. At the time I lived on the Big Island of Hawaii. While in paradise, I was thousands of miles away from anyone familiar. Scared and alone, I reached out to the baby's father, to no avail, because I didn't know what to do.
Despite the diagnosis, I decided to fight for my baby’s life. I had met a woman through a mutual friend at the end of 2013 who is an Indigenous Healer and an American Naturopathic Physician from Belize. When she learned that the doctors had suggested I terminate the pregnancy, she offered me a place to stay with her at her home in Punta Gorda, Belize. She told me that I could stay with her for the duration of my pregnancy and after I gave birth and that she could help with the healing process for my son. I was overjoyed! Based on what she told me, I thought that I could get alternative healing that could help save my baby boy.
I proceeded to sell all of my belongings, packed what I had in 2 suitcases, and headed across the Pacific. My excitement was short lived. After only a month of living with her, she had a change of heart and asked me to move out - at 7 ½ months pregnant with very limited money.
I was completely caught off guard. My friend had assured me that this healer was a woman of integrity and had told me that she wouldn't leave me high and dry. I had sold everything I owned, and I had no home to return to.
The father of the baby decided that when I left Hawaii, he didn’t want to support or contribute financially to the cost of having our baby abroad. He told me that I was making a mistake and that I was on my own. Completely alone, I didn't know what to do.
Even though I was only in Belize for a month, it took over half my money to get set up there. Fortunately, an old friend of mine and his wife offered to loan me the money for an airline ticket and a place to stay in their home in Mexico. I am currently living abroad because there's just no place left to go.
Some people might ask, “What about her family?”. Well, my father flat out told me before I left Hawaii that he did not support my decision and that I could expect no assistance from him whatsoever. My mother (who has mental health issues) and I have been estranged for many years, so asking for help from her is out of the question.
So, here I am in Mexico, and living off of my last $300. I need help to pay for the medical expenses relating to the birth of my baby boy. Because my baby has skeletal dysplasia and because of my age (40) my birth is considered a high risk, and therefore the doctors here are telling me I have to have a c-section with the potential for massive aftercare related to my baby. This is a far cry from my original desire to have a birth with a midwife. For me to do so would be putting mine and the baby's life at risk.
So, the medical expenses include, but are not limited to:
OB-GYN
Pediatrician
Hospital stay
Anthesiologist
Medicine
And any expenses related to my baby.
If, by a miracle, my son Palo does survive, I will need assistance for the following items:
Diapers
Basic living expenses such as rent, and food (as I will be his sole caretaker)
Anything related to his special needs.
As of right now, my dear friend and his wife have helped all they can. I have never been one to ask for help, but under these circumstances, I feel like it’s my best shot at making sure I can give birth safely without compromising my health or my baby’s.
That's Monica's story.
Can you please help my cousin, Monica? We never imagined in a million years she would be in this position. Sometimes life throws a curve ball we're not prepared for. And sometimes, we need a little help to get through tough situations. Like this one.
Thank you for taking the time to read this!
With love from her Cousin,
Annisa
When the doctors gave me the news, they told me that my baby boy would not live and would most likely die after being born. I was absolutely devastated. At the time I lived on the Big Island of Hawaii. While in paradise, I was thousands of miles away from anyone familiar. Scared and alone, I reached out to the baby's father, to no avail, because I didn't know what to do.
Despite the diagnosis, I decided to fight for my baby’s life. I had met a woman through a mutual friend at the end of 2013 who is an Indigenous Healer and an American Naturopathic Physician from Belize. When she learned that the doctors had suggested I terminate the pregnancy, she offered me a place to stay with her at her home in Punta Gorda, Belize. She told me that I could stay with her for the duration of my pregnancy and after I gave birth and that she could help with the healing process for my son. I was overjoyed! Based on what she told me, I thought that I could get alternative healing that could help save my baby boy.
I proceeded to sell all of my belongings, packed what I had in 2 suitcases, and headed across the Pacific. My excitement was short lived. After only a month of living with her, she had a change of heart and asked me to move out - at 7 ½ months pregnant with very limited money.
I was completely caught off guard. My friend had assured me that this healer was a woman of integrity and had told me that she wouldn't leave me high and dry. I had sold everything I owned, and I had no home to return to.
The father of the baby decided that when I left Hawaii, he didn’t want to support or contribute financially to the cost of having our baby abroad. He told me that I was making a mistake and that I was on my own. Completely alone, I didn't know what to do.
Even though I was only in Belize for a month, it took over half my money to get set up there. Fortunately, an old friend of mine and his wife offered to loan me the money for an airline ticket and a place to stay in their home in Mexico. I am currently living abroad because there's just no place left to go.
Some people might ask, “What about her family?”. Well, my father flat out told me before I left Hawaii that he did not support my decision and that I could expect no assistance from him whatsoever. My mother (who has mental health issues) and I have been estranged for many years, so asking for help from her is out of the question.
So, here I am in Mexico, and living off of my last $300. I need help to pay for the medical expenses relating to the birth of my baby boy. Because my baby has skeletal dysplasia and because of my age (40) my birth is considered a high risk, and therefore the doctors here are telling me I have to have a c-section with the potential for massive aftercare related to my baby. This is a far cry from my original desire to have a birth with a midwife. For me to do so would be putting mine and the baby's life at risk.
So, the medical expenses include, but are not limited to:
OB-GYN
Pediatrician
Hospital stay
Anthesiologist
Medicine
And any expenses related to my baby.
If, by a miracle, my son Palo does survive, I will need assistance for the following items:
Diapers
Basic living expenses such as rent, and food (as I will be his sole caretaker)
Anything related to his special needs.
As of right now, my dear friend and his wife have helped all they can. I have never been one to ask for help, but under these circumstances, I feel like it’s my best shot at making sure I can give birth safely without compromising my health or my baby’s.
That's Monica's story.
Can you please help my cousin, Monica? We never imagined in a million years she would be in this position. Sometimes life throws a curve ball we're not prepared for. And sometimes, we need a little help to get through tough situations. Like this one.
Thank you for taking the time to read this!
With love from her Cousin,
Annisa
Organizer
Monica Aguilar
Organizer
Kailua CDP, HI
