Save Rodrigo’s Hand

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MBWAY: 967 699 262

Transferência bancaria: PT50 0045 5390 4033 0750 2525 6

Rodrigo was 2 years old when he badly broke his left elbow, he was submitted to have reconstructive surgery but post-surgery, the doctor informed the family that it had not been successful but they did not receive any compensation.

He is now 30 and ever since his elbow was misplaced and his left arm is slightly smaller than the right, but it has never held him back. He still managed to go to circus school and pursue his main passion, playing guitar, which has been his main source of income throughout his life, until last summer he began struggling to play.

Two of his fingers stopped responding to his brain telling them what to do and his hand’s muscles started to whither away. He went to the public hospital and they told him that his cubital nerve had been damaged and dying for a long time and that it was too late to do anything about it. The public doctor sent his information to the wrong hospital and to this day we would still be waiting for an appointment with a surgeon, all the while the nerve was dying more and more every day.

We could not accept this news so, we began researching private neuro-surgeons and found out about Professor Abel Nascrimento. We contacted him and he told us that only he could help Rodrigo but, it would be a complicated and expensive process.

In March 2023, Rodrigo underwent 2 surgeries on his elbow and wrist that cost us €12,000, which we had to borrow. We went to what was meant to be his last appointment on the 5th of May and Professor Abel told us that Rodrigo would need a further operation on his hand, due to how badly damaged the nerves and muscles were. He did not give us a set price at the time but we assumed as it was only one procedure this time, that it would be approximately half the price - €6,000.

At the last appointment in July, Professor Abel informed us it is going to be €12,000 due to the complexity, operating hours, the rate of the operating theatre and his aftercare. We have also had to pay for the appointments, we have spent all our savings and we’ve had to borrow a large amount of money. We cannot afford the next surgery but we cannot give up on his hand.

We want to acknowledge how generous everyone has been to Rodrigo, he never imagined he would gain this much support and kindness and we are so grateful! But the money raised from all of you, who have supported him through our GoFundMe campaign, combined with the money he has earned by working every day, with no days off, all summer, is sadly still not enough. So please join us in one final push to try to make up the remaining funds necessary for his next operation!! We find it hard to put into words how much your support means to us, but when he is playing guitar properly again and fully recovered we will always remember everyone who helped make it possible. Please keep sharing. Thank you so much!

For a donation of £50

Rodrigo will send you a digital version of his album

For a donation of £100

Rodrigo will send you a CD of his album of music

For £50

Sophie will send you all of her makeup tutorials

After the operation we will organise sending the CD's and tutorials, thank you for your patience

xx