Jill's Muscular Dystrophy

Jill is a fourteen year old Peruvian boy and a close friend of ours who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy.  Jill is smart, positive, strong and enjoys school, computers and hanging out with friends. In this past year Jill’s mother passed away due to a brain aneurysm, leaving behind Jill and his four brothers.  Abandoned by his father since he was a young boy, Jill is now looked after by his ailing grandparents and seventeen year old brother.

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.  There's no cure for muscular dystrophy.  But medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the course of the disease.  Muscular Dystrophy has recently confined Jill to a wheel chair.  Jill’s daily struggles are heightened due to his family’s socioeconomic status and limited access to help and resources.
 
 While Jill’s family cares for him deeply, they lack the monetary funds to meet his everyday needs.  Jill’s older brother and primary caretaker is soon starting technical school four hours from their home.  Jill needs daily care including help going to the bathroom, bathing, and getting dressed.  His grandparents, due to their age and health, are increasingly unable to assist Jill in these areas.  Inspite of challenges due to his muscular dystrophy, Jill maintains a positive outlook on life.

We are Pascal and Chanel, we run a small hostel in Mancora, Peru.   Pascal met Jill when he first travelled to the area six years ago.  At that time Jill still had use of his hands and legs.  Unable to afford medical attention, Jill and his family were unaware and uninformed about Jill’s condition.  Over the past five years we and a few friends have helped Jill and his family by assisting with school payments, medical treatments, and daily necessities.  

Donations will help Jill in all aspects of his daily life including access to education and adequate medical attention - the help of nurses, specialists, an electric wheel chair and rehabilitation.  As Muscular Dystrophy is a lifelong disease Jill’s needs are also lifelong.  Jill needs support to be able to live the life of a regular teenage boy.  This help and support is paramount to his ability to succeed and live with this disease.

We have set up a Scotiabank account in Canada that is specifically for Jill's campaign.  Jill will have access to the funds via Pascal until he turns legal age.    


We along with Jill and his family are grateful for all your help and support.

Jill and his brother Miguel

Jill, his grandparents and Miguel