Help my grandson, please
Donation protected
I’m Luz, Felipe’s grandmother. He is 20 months old and since he was born he had faced several medical issues. His mother had to stop working to take care of him because no babysitter or grandmother could keep up with his medical appointments and treatments. At this point my daughters' savings are gone, the bills keep mounting and the credit cards are to the limit.
Felipe was born with a little fatty “love handle” above his back. He was given an MRI the next day and doctors determined he had Spina Bifida. My daughter has exhuasted herself in many ways, but particularily financially, in order to care for Felipe. Felipe was also diagnosed with Hydronephrosis, basically one kidney is dilated and doesn’t drain out the urine as quickly as the other. This is a complication associated with the Spina Bifida. Since birth he has undergone several painful procedures.
At 8 months he underwent spinal surgery. There were complications and he had to undergo a second operation the next morning. The doctor loosen stitches & removed some bones in the hope that the spinal cord swelled up temporarily and needed some extra space. Felipe had no sensation in his legs.That night was very difficult. My daughter did not sleep, the family held prayer and it was a helpless feeling that there was nothing I could do to comfort him or my daughter.
Felipe had more sensation on his right leg after the second surgery and he was sent to a rehabilitation center upstate New York. My daughter went along with him. She lived there along side him until he was released 3 weeks later. At home he receives services in large part due to his mother's advocacy, Physical therapy 5x a week, Speech 2x a week, special instruction 1x week. Along with accupuncture and swim classes to improve his muscle tone, one to three times a month. Felipe has to follow up with the neurologist, urologist, orthopedist, pediatrician and other specialists.
He has improved greatly under the care of his mother. However, she can no longer afford to remain at home. And this reality is devastating to us. Hiring a babysitter is not possible as my daughter has spent all her savings in order to remain at home. And the sitters most recently interviewed have declined the job claiming it is too difficult to follow the exhausting schedule that Felipe has to keep.
All money donated will go to the family's debt incurred while traveling to and from medical appointments, gas, tolls, hospital parking, uncovered medical expenses, etc. I appreciate you taking the time to read my grandson's story and helping us by donating now.
God bless you.
Felipe was born with a little fatty “love handle” above his back. He was given an MRI the next day and doctors determined he had Spina Bifida. My daughter has exhuasted herself in many ways, but particularily financially, in order to care for Felipe. Felipe was also diagnosed with Hydronephrosis, basically one kidney is dilated and doesn’t drain out the urine as quickly as the other. This is a complication associated with the Spina Bifida. Since birth he has undergone several painful procedures.
At 8 months he underwent spinal surgery. There were complications and he had to undergo a second operation the next morning. The doctor loosen stitches & removed some bones in the hope that the spinal cord swelled up temporarily and needed some extra space. Felipe had no sensation in his legs.That night was very difficult. My daughter did not sleep, the family held prayer and it was a helpless feeling that there was nothing I could do to comfort him or my daughter.
Felipe had more sensation on his right leg after the second surgery and he was sent to a rehabilitation center upstate New York. My daughter went along with him. She lived there along side him until he was released 3 weeks later. At home he receives services in large part due to his mother's advocacy, Physical therapy 5x a week, Speech 2x a week, special instruction 1x week. Along with accupuncture and swim classes to improve his muscle tone, one to three times a month. Felipe has to follow up with the neurologist, urologist, orthopedist, pediatrician and other specialists.
He has improved greatly under the care of his mother. However, she can no longer afford to remain at home. And this reality is devastating to us. Hiring a babysitter is not possible as my daughter has spent all her savings in order to remain at home. And the sitters most recently interviewed have declined the job claiming it is too difficult to follow the exhausting schedule that Felipe has to keep.
All money donated will go to the family's debt incurred while traveling to and from medical appointments, gas, tolls, hospital parking, uncovered medical expenses, etc. I appreciate you taking the time to read my grandson's story and helping us by donating now.
God bless you.
Organizer
Luz Mantilla
Organizer
New York, NY
