Dear friends and family,

We are kindly asking for your help with the expenses for Baby Carita's upcoming trip to California, where she will be seen at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

When Carita was born, she was not breathing and had a low heart rate of 30. She was rushed from the birthing center to GMH, where she stayed in the NICU for one month. There, they diagnosed her with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which is a brain injury caused by the lack of oxygen and blood going to the brain. She began having little tremors, which later turned into seizures that caused her oxygen to go down. She was given medications to control the seizures.

Three months later, she had a normal EEG and was weaned off her medication. In the same week, she started to have little jerks and spasms. Another EEG showed that she is still having abnormal brain activity, so she was put back on her medication. Finally, they decided to do a CT scan to check for any abnormalities.

The results showed that she has corpus callosum hypogenesis/hypoplasia, in which the connection between the left and right side of the brain is underdeveloped. We were told that she will have a form of cerebral palsy and is developing epilepsy. She is currently going through occupational and physical therapy.

Today, she is experiencing persistent seizures that are not being controlled with medication. She has tried three different medications so far. Her pediatrician and neurologist find it best to take her to CHLA for further diagnosis and treatment.

Despite all this, we can rejoice knowing that God has His hand over her. We are consoled by the many prayers that have stormed heaven for her. Since Carita was born, we've learned how to love and rely on God even more. Just like the meaning of her name, Carita (love, charity) Fidez (faith).

Thank you everyone for your help and especially for your prayers.

Love,

The Reyes Family