Hello, my name is Francesca Gallo.

I was born in Siberia, Russia; 24 years ago, my mother and father abandoned me at birth. I languished in a state-run orphanage for 18 months, receiving very little food, medical attention, or any loving human contact. They swaddled my legs together and laid me on my back so I could not move.

State-run baby home, Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo, Russia

As a result, I developed twisted leg bones, severe malnutrition, stunted bone and height growth, scabies, and Rickets. Thankfully, an American couple in Orlando heard about my story and adopted me. I am forever grateful for them and the loving family they gave me.

Me at 18 months old before leaving the orphanage

Physical therapy helped me to be able to crawl and take my first steps at 3 1/2 years old.

But due to my various medical issues, my bones, teeth, and growth plates have been badly affected. My legs are severely bowed, which causes me to be in constant pain. I have never reached my full height potential, and I am only 4 ft 9 in tall. I have had to be treated throughout the years by many specialist doctors.

Me at 7 years old

I have been approved for surgery by a well-known orthopedic surgeon specializing in fixing cases like mine. I am hopeful he can give me a new chance in life. Endodontist specialists will be able to replace my four front upper teeth and four front lower teeth, which are currently very loose and starting to fall out due to bone deterioration.

Me today...

After searching for many years, I am very thankful to have found these doctors. This orthopedic and dental surgery is my only hope of living a more normal life. Because of these deformities, I have been ridiculed by people. It hurts. It would be nice to not be in pain anymore and be able to look and walk normally.

I humbly ask for your financial support as these procedures far exceed my own and my parent's financial resources. Even though I have health insurance, my out-of-pocket cost will be over $100,000. I have already paid for eye surgery which I had to have. I work full-time at BackYard Burger in Altamonte Springs, but this amount is above anything my family could ever pay for. Doctors have told me that within 10 years, I will have severe difficulty walking, and in old age, I'll be completely incapacitated if I don't receive the operation. I would greatly appreciate anything you can contribute to help me get these operations, for which I will be eternally grateful to each of you.

Thank you most sincerely,

Francesca