- F
- J
- j
Elias Perez Ortiz is a seven year old boy in the village of San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca. He was born with mixed quadruple cerebral palsy, a severe form of this condition. He has never spoken or walked but has some control over the movements of his arms and legs.
Elias is the son of Israel and Almadelia Perez Ortiz. Israel has worked for and with Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal's producers in San Luis del Rio for the last 15 years. Due to his condition, the closest treatment center for Elias is in Oaxaca de Juarez (Oaxaca City), over fours hours away over dirt roads and extremely windy highways. His mother takes him into the city via public transportation for one week every month. He receives his treatment, neuro toxin injections and physical therapy, at Teleton, a foundation that tries to help disabled children get well. The monthly costs alone put a tremendous burden on the family.
Recently, Del Maguey was able to partner with an internet provider to install a tower above town that now beams a very good connection into more than twenty homes in the village. The best place to put the tower, in order to transmit the best and clearest signal to as many homes as possible, was located on Israel's land. This is land that is granted for social service devoted to the community.
When we asked Israel if there was anything we could do for him in exchange for the use of land, he said, humbly,
"Please keep selling mezcal around the world so I have work, and if there is anything you can do to help my son's condition improve, my family would appreciate it so much."
For this reason, and because it is the right thing to do, we want to appeal to Del Maguey's extended, worldwide family if they can possibly help Elias.
Here is how we would like to help Elias and his family:
1. Orthopedic Surgery, quoted from this link.
US $7000
"Surgery treats several conditions resulting from cerebral palsy. Various orthopedic procedures, for example, address muscle stiffness and spasticity – among the most common cerebral palsy symptoms. Easing spasticity with surgery improves range of motion and fine motor control, helping patients walk with or without assistive devices, and grasp small items.
In addition to improving mobility and coordination, surgical intervention may also correct or help prevent deformities and other cerebral palsy complications. Orthopedic surgery is widely used to treat movement limitations, some patients may also be candidates for procedures correcting co-occurring conditions, such as hearing loss and GI disorders."
His parents have told him that the Harp Foundation, who runs the Teleton clinic in Oaxaca, can match thirty percent of the cost of a procedure. Del Maguey would like to raise US $7,000 for his surgery.
2. Assistive walking devices
US $3-4,000
Depending on the outcome of surgery, we all want to believe that Elias can one day get out of his chair and walk with assisted help. These devices are considered cutting edge technology for cerebral palsy patients in Oaxaca.
3. Monthly treatment costs US $250/month
Two Years US $6000
We would like to alleviate this economic burden on the family for 1-2 years along with the hope that in that time Elias could receive the operation and assistive devices that could help his young body heal, talk, and maybe even walk.
We have set a high goal for Elias and we realize that this time of year is not always the easiest to make a donation. Thank you for reading about Elias. We hope to provide updates about his progress as the results from the campaign turn into tangible moments.
Happy Holidays and Stigibeu!
Update
28 May 2019
Hi all,
Just a quick note to let you all know that Elias is going to have an operation this Thursday, May 30, at the Children’s Hospital in Oaxaca.
The surgeons are going to focus on his legs and will make six different incisions in his tendons with the plan that this can straighten out his legs a little more. I do not think this is considered a major surgery but it will probably be really scary for him.
Once he recovers he can begin rehab in the same hospital to see if he might be able to do standing exercises with the therapists.
After a few months of this, they will let the family know how he is progressing and if more lower body or upper body operations are necessary and/or recommended.
We visited briefly with Israel, his wife and Elias this morning and Elias was really happy.
Israel and his wife are also really thankful for all the effort that you have all made to turn this economic assistance into a reality. (And the wider generosity of the DM network). They have both expressed their thanks to everyone involved on multiple occasions.
Even though we are still a little short of the initial goal, we are still on track to realistically shoot for multiple operations, therapy, medicine, and trips back and forth from San Luis del Rio in the near and medium term. Also, depending on outcome of the operations maybe some walking assistance apparatus in the future. And that may depend on how we are doing, fund wise at that point.
If we can continue reminding folks that Elias is benefiting from this economic support and that the campaign is indefinite and will never be removed from the platform, that would be helpful and generous.
Apologies to all donors for lack of previous updates. There had not been anything concrete until the surgery date was finalized this week.
A big thank you to everyone involved. What a wonderful group effort.
Please help send prayers for Elias this Thursday, May 30, 2019.
Update: December 12, 2019
Elias has progressed with his therapy all year and his therapy and travel has been paid for through the generous help of your donations and sharing of Elias' story.
So far this year Elias' surgery cost US $2000 and the therapy cost US $2000.
We are searching for a vehicle that can be converted into a comfortable option for him to be transported back and forth from San Luis del Rio each month.
We are also awaiting word from his doctors about the need for more surgeries, or if therapy remains his best course of action.
Thank you once again for all your help. It really has helped Elias and his parents immensely!
Full Disclaimer: Donations are being made to the US bank account of Gabriel Bonfanti, Del Maguey's Director of Sustainability. All proceeds will be transferred to Elias in San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca. Del Maguey will post updates about Elias and his family, and the impact the donations make through its' sustainability blog and social media accounts.
Elias is the son of Israel and Almadelia Perez Ortiz. Israel has worked for and with Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal's producers in San Luis del Rio for the last 15 years. Due to his condition, the closest treatment center for Elias is in Oaxaca de Juarez (Oaxaca City), over fours hours away over dirt roads and extremely windy highways. His mother takes him into the city via public transportation for one week every month. He receives his treatment, neuro toxin injections and physical therapy, at Teleton, a foundation that tries to help disabled children get well. The monthly costs alone put a tremendous burden on the family.
Recently, Del Maguey was able to partner with an internet provider to install a tower above town that now beams a very good connection into more than twenty homes in the village. The best place to put the tower, in order to transmit the best and clearest signal to as many homes as possible, was located on Israel's land. This is land that is granted for social service devoted to the community.
When we asked Israel if there was anything we could do for him in exchange for the use of land, he said, humbly,
"Please keep selling mezcal around the world so I have work, and if there is anything you can do to help my son's condition improve, my family would appreciate it so much."
For this reason, and because it is the right thing to do, we want to appeal to Del Maguey's extended, worldwide family if they can possibly help Elias.
Here is how we would like to help Elias and his family:
1. Orthopedic Surgery, quoted from this link.
US $7000
"Surgery treats several conditions resulting from cerebral palsy. Various orthopedic procedures, for example, address muscle stiffness and spasticity – among the most common cerebral palsy symptoms. Easing spasticity with surgery improves range of motion and fine motor control, helping patients walk with or without assistive devices, and grasp small items.
In addition to improving mobility and coordination, surgical intervention may also correct or help prevent deformities and other cerebral palsy complications. Orthopedic surgery is widely used to treat movement limitations, some patients may also be candidates for procedures correcting co-occurring conditions, such as hearing loss and GI disorders."
His parents have told him that the Harp Foundation, who runs the Teleton clinic in Oaxaca, can match thirty percent of the cost of a procedure. Del Maguey would like to raise US $7,000 for his surgery.
2. Assistive walking devices
US $3-4,000
Depending on the outcome of surgery, we all want to believe that Elias can one day get out of his chair and walk with assisted help. These devices are considered cutting edge technology for cerebral palsy patients in Oaxaca.
3. Monthly treatment costs US $250/month
Two Years US $6000
We would like to alleviate this economic burden on the family for 1-2 years along with the hope that in that time Elias could receive the operation and assistive devices that could help his young body heal, talk, and maybe even walk.
We have set a high goal for Elias and we realize that this time of year is not always the easiest to make a donation. Thank you for reading about Elias. We hope to provide updates about his progress as the results from the campaign turn into tangible moments.
Happy Holidays and Stigibeu!
Update
28 May 2019
Hi all,
Just a quick note to let you all know that Elias is going to have an operation this Thursday, May 30, at the Children’s Hospital in Oaxaca.
The surgeons are going to focus on his legs and will make six different incisions in his tendons with the plan that this can straighten out his legs a little more. I do not think this is considered a major surgery but it will probably be really scary for him.
Once he recovers he can begin rehab in the same hospital to see if he might be able to do standing exercises with the therapists.
After a few months of this, they will let the family know how he is progressing and if more lower body or upper body operations are necessary and/or recommended.
We visited briefly with Israel, his wife and Elias this morning and Elias was really happy.
Israel and his wife are also really thankful for all the effort that you have all made to turn this economic assistance into a reality. (And the wider generosity of the DM network). They have both expressed their thanks to everyone involved on multiple occasions.
Even though we are still a little short of the initial goal, we are still on track to realistically shoot for multiple operations, therapy, medicine, and trips back and forth from San Luis del Rio in the near and medium term. Also, depending on outcome of the operations maybe some walking assistance apparatus in the future. And that may depend on how we are doing, fund wise at that point.
If we can continue reminding folks that Elias is benefiting from this economic support and that the campaign is indefinite and will never be removed from the platform, that would be helpful and generous.
Apologies to all donors for lack of previous updates. There had not been anything concrete until the surgery date was finalized this week.
A big thank you to everyone involved. What a wonderful group effort.
Please help send prayers for Elias this Thursday, May 30, 2019.
Update: December 12, 2019
Elias has progressed with his therapy all year and his therapy and travel has been paid for through the generous help of your donations and sharing of Elias' story.
So far this year Elias' surgery cost US $2000 and the therapy cost US $2000.
We are searching for a vehicle that can be converted into a comfortable option for him to be transported back and forth from San Luis del Rio each month.
We are also awaiting word from his doctors about the need for more surgeries, or if therapy remains his best course of action.
Thank you once again for all your help. It really has helped Elias and his parents immensely!
Full Disclaimer: Donations are being made to the US bank account of Gabriel Bonfanti, Del Maguey's Director of Sustainability. All proceeds will be transferred to Elias in San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca. Del Maguey will post updates about Elias and his family, and the impact the donations make through its' sustainability blog and social media accounts.