One Step at a Time - Help Alline on her Journey to Walk

Hello, my name is Sandra Pacheco. My family and I have known Joao and Nuria for 10 years now and myself and my husband have the honor of being this beautiful girl's God Parents.

Born January 26th, 2018 at 31 weeks (premature), Alline was diagnosed with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Her mother, Nuria, developed preeclampsia and had to be sent to Mount Sinai to deliver Alline. Her birth was a traumatic experience as she was in labour too long before they decided to rush her in for a C-Section.

Since her birth, Alline has had numerous procedures and corrective surgeries to aid in her development. Her father, Joao, works 6-7 days a week to be able to afford her therapy and so that Nuria can be her primary care giver. Unfortunately, they do not qualify for government grants and assistance, and have been able to manage on their own, without public assistance, until now.

Alline has been given the opportunity to receive surgery that could help her walk! Of course, this surgery can only be done in the US and will be performed by the very doctor who pioneered it, Dr. Roy Nuzzo. This surgery will take place in August and will cost them $20,000 USD. After her surgery, she is expected to complete intensive therapy here in Canada which will cost them $8000 CAD, on top of the $2000/month they pay for her regular therapy.

The reason why they must go to the US to have this surgery done, is because it’s not offered here in Canada. Only 4 doctors in the entire world are trained in this surgical procedure, Selective Percutaneous Myofascial Lengthening, and she is lucky enough to have it performed by the doctor who first adapted the surgery over 20 years ago.

We are hoping to raise this amount of money to help give Alline the ability to walk on her own, unassisted by a walker, and so that her parents don’t have to worry about the wages lost from taking the time off work to be there with her. Joao & Nuria are very hard-working citizens here in Canada and have dedicated their time and money to ensure that Alline receives the help she needs to be able to exceed in her development. They don’t have much family here in Canada, but they have a large group of friends who love them and would do anything to make sure their little girl succeeds!

Every Little bit helps!