Rosario needs help for Surgery and Travel Expenses

Helen Cova is organising this fundraising appeal on behalf of Marlene Peterson.

Donation protected

Hi, my name is Rosario Gonzalez Zerpa and I am a 4 years old girl. I am Venezuelan and I have a diagnosis of Cerebral Paralysis, Type Spastic Quadriplegia (weakness and difficulty in controlling movements in the arms and the legs). I was born after 30 weeks of gestation, weighing only 3 pounds with 200 grams. It was an emergency caesarean section that brought me into the world because staying in my mother's womb already represented a high risk of mortality for both of us. After my birth and due to my prematurity, I spent 2 months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (UCIN) without my mommy, I suffered from several complications (apneas, hypoxia, pneumothorax, enterocolitis, septic shock, among others). I managed to overcome each one of them, although the most difficult thing was being able to breathe on my own. Although I also go over the hypoxia, it caused my brain to get injured and now I have to live and fight with the aftermath of Cerebral Palsy.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xJK4i8HF5R3RzXFW9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Wafa97TYtTeWgjXU7

In my country there is a serious economic and healthcare crisis. The application of Botox for my spasticity as an alternative therapy would have to be done in a private clinic and the costs are extremely high. There is not additional methods, treatments, or institutions that can help my condition. The medical insurance that covers my medical expenses is increasing so much that my parents can no longer afford it. My mother cares for me full time and only my daddy is working, and his salary is not enough to cover all medical expenses, both mine and my mother's, as well as the daily expenses.

As a preventive measure for future malformations, there are not many options in my country other than to go through several surgeries throughout my life that are very risky, painful, complicated, with a long recovery, and each day more expensive. My parents have found an alternative in Mexico, where there is a minimally invasive surgery that can greatly improve the quality of my life by correcting some contractures and conditions that I have: equine foot, legs in scissors position, difficulty in maintaining balance, a correct posture, and performing voluntary movements. In addition, the surgery can help me avoid malformations that will later be difficult to correct. To cover the costs of my surgery, we estimate we will need US $ 9,000. The estimated cost of our tickets and accommodation is US $ 6,000.

Over the course of my 4 years I have made progress and achievements, I know that these achievements and the love of my parents, are the things that motivate them today to make my story public and request your help.

I sincerely ask for your help so that more people get to know my story and help me make this journey to undergo this procedure that will improve my quality of life. I have great faith that it will help me to walk.
I just want what every child wants, to explore the world around us, to jump, run, play and get into some mischief. May your contribution be one more grain of sand to build that path where I leave my footprints while I walk. Any contribution is important and will change my life.