MARIANA'S FIGHT

Hi friends,

My name is Jessica Hartman and I'm fundraising for my amazing house cleaner Veronica and her family!

Veronica and her team at Clean House Maids have been cleaning our home for over a year now - throughout this period our families have gotten to know each other, she attends all of our events and parties, I've referred a ton of friends and clients to her, we've become incredibly close and are truly invested in each other's lives.

That's why when we caught up yesterday and I asked her how her family in Mexico was doing, she told me about her niece Mariana...

Mariana was born with hydrocephalus (an abnormal buildup of fluid in the ventricles deep within the brain. This excess fluid causes the ventricles to widen, putting pressure on the brain's tissues. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the clear, colorless fluid that protects and cushions the brain and spine)

Though the condition is incredibly severe, Mariana was able to walk, talk and play like any normal eleven-year-old girl. She wanted to start a YouTube channel because she loved to sing and her deeper voice instantly made mariachi music her strong suit.

Because she continued growing, the hose that drained the water from her brain got disconnected and unfortunately, her doctors didn’t catch it until after she had experienced twenty-seven seizures. Following Mariana's surgery she had a heart attack that lasted a total of twelve minutes and if things couldn't get any worse, while in the hospital she contracted meningitis.

Mariana woke up but her body is currently paralyzed. Her mom and Veronica's older sister Lupita hasn't left Mariana's side. Veronica expressed to me that her sister NEVER complains about anything and is just so grateful to God that her daughter is still alive. Veronica was in Mexico with them just a few weeks ago and seeing her niece in this condition has been beyond heartbreaking, she knows how difficult this is for Mariana and for her sister Lupita.

This Christmas, Veronica told me that she is grateful for her kids and their health more than ever before! She asked if I could share on Instagram that they were looking to pick up more cleaning jobs so that she could send some money down to help with Mariana's medical bills and therapy, but to me sharing a small story on my page just wasn't enough!

It's the season of giving! Of spreading joy, love and kindness to those in need - Veronica and her family don't know we're doing this but this Christmas I ask if you would help support Mariana's fight - absolutely anything is appreciated and I'm sure we'd make this family's Christmas that much more special!