Makayla's Physical Therapy Fund

Co-organized

Lisa Morneau and Haruko Ichikura are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Hazel Guantero.

Donation protected

Please help Jeff Morneau and Hazel Guantero help their one-year old daughter, Makayla.

On June 19, 2022, Father's Day, Hazel (my sister-in-law) gave birth to Makayla, a beautiful baby girl. On the day Makayla was born, she stopped breathing and since that day Makayla has suffered from numerous medical complications.

Makayla was diagnosed with HIE - hypoischemicencepalopathy- a brain injury that happens when a baby's brain doesn't receive enough oxygen during delivery. Her thalamus and basal ganglia in the brain were affected, thus, she was also diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (a disorder that affects mobility, balance, and posture) & Dysphagia. Dysphagia means that she has difficulty swallowing and she has been tube fed since birth.

Makayla is a fighter and she has the best parents ever.

In order for her to have the best fighting chance, she needs your help to receive advanced medical physical therapy only offered in Toronto at "Smile Therapy." There, they practice Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) which has helped a lot of children who have disabilities like Makayla. They focus on current research on neurorehabilitation. They also use whole vibration techniques that help strengthen muscles and decrease spasticity. https://smiletherapyforkids.com/

Each physical therapy session is $130/hour.
They recommend 5 sessions in a row for two weeks or 5 two-hour sessions. Thus, each time they go, they spend $1,300 on therapy.
Plus, there is the cost of gas and food when out, about $300.
If they stay in Toronto, accommodations are free (family member)
Thus, each time they go to Toronto for Makayla's treatment, they pay $1,600.
The goal is to have Makayla receive as many advanced medical treatments as possible, at least one every three months.
For one year, the total annual cost would be $6,400.
This doesn’t account for a loss of wages once Hazel returns to work, as she will have to take a week off each time.

They are also looking to fundraise for a vibrational therapy device for home use- this is to help continue the physical therapy work at home. https://www.hypervibe.com/ca/hypervibe-g10-mini-v2/
This device costs $1,300 plus tax USD, so about $2,000 CAD
The grand total would be $8,400 for a year of therapy and the vibrational device.

Jeff and Hazel will have lots of costs as Makayla ages, but right now their goal is to allow Makayla to have a chance to improve her muscle coordination and strength.

Makayla is a joy and a warrior. She coos, smiles, and laughs, but she isn't able to sit up nor swallow any liquids or solids. Please consider donating to help Makayla's life be a little bit brighter. Every donation matters. Thank you :)