Main fundraiser photo

Makayla Dream's/Handi-Mobility Van

 facebook.com/MakaylasDreams

Hello everyone my name is Marlene Visbal and I would like to take a moment to let you know a little about my family. I am a proud mother of four beautiful children.  Giovanni is 13 yrs. old, Magdalena is 9 yrs. old, Miguel is 8 yrs. old and my little precious angel Makayla is
 6 yrs. old. Ok, Its sound like I have the perfect family and perfect life but in a blink of an eye my life changed and my journey began.           I remember it like it was yesterday. 20 weeks into my pregnancy with Makayla I went in for my routine ultrasound. It was such an exciting time but like all expecting mothers nerve wrecking. Especially on this day because the tech took longer than usual and by the look in her eyes I just knew something was not right. Call it mother’s intuition. She told me she was going to show the doctors the results and she’ll return. What took only a couple of minutes seem like an eternity! Finally both the Doctor and Tech came back and said the baby’s head circumference measurements were too small compared to the rest of her body. I should come back in two weeks and see if anything has changed. So you could only imagine what those two weeks felt like and what was going through my mind… I returned praying for some good news. But was told there was no growth so what does that mean?? The doctor explain to me Makayla had what they called Microcephaly-meaning small head.   Adding to their possible diagnosis they said that she could have other complications, one being neurological but further testing needed to be done. I had to meet with all types of specialist and go under numerous testing, procedures, blood work you name it. An awful experience to go through during pregnancy when it’s supposed to be a joyful time.  I asked myself, why me?           At the end of all the madness they sat me down around a group of medical professionals and look me straight in the eye and ask me if I wanted to keep her? If not they can arrange for me to terminate my pregnancy.  I had all these emotions and I really did not know what was going to be expected.  The only thing I was sure of was that I had a baby inside of me and there was no way in hell I was going to terminate my daughter’s life. I was determine to have this baby.  On September 5, 2009, she was born... 6 lbs. 2 ounces and 18” long... as soon as she came to this world she started having seizures and was put in N.I.C.U dept. for 3 ½ weeks before she was able to come home. Doctor’s finally confirmed her diagnosis: Microcephaly (small head), and added to that were Lissencephaly (small brain), Cerebral Palsy, Seizures Disorders, Failure to Thrive, and Optic Dysplasia (vision). What a mouthful to swallow.  At first it was all about learning and adjusting on how to take care of this angel that God has given to us. It was a tremendous amount of work but, at the same time we were so excited and overwhelmed with joy to know that we made the right decision. It’s like having a piece of heaven right in your own home. The most beautiful smile you could see and hear. Her beautiful green eyes when she looks at you as if she is looking right through your very soul. Her hair smooth as silk and shining as if the sun was always above her. A true gift from the all mighty man. Makayla has a very hard journey ahead of her, but with a loving family and great support from friends, we are making the best of it.  She’s been through a numerous amount of surgeries, procedures, exams, Mri's,Cat scans,EEG'sfrom having a G-tube inserting so she can get fed through her stomach since she can’t swallow food or liquid, so this helps give her nutrient and her long list of medications.And admissions to the hospitals countinous throughout the years,making Hackensack Hospital my second home.
 Also she had a Fundo put in  3 times already to help her with her reflexes so she won’t aspirate. Sleeping with her ever night to make sure she is not having a seizure and is breathing ok, had to become what she needed me to be to care for her! Makayla is definitely not your average little girl who talks, runs and plays all day long. She attends a full day program at Children’s Cebral  Palsy Center where she receives all of her therapies- Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Vision Therapy, Special Swim which is her favorite, she loves the water and Horseback riding she does all of this exercises to help her stimulate her body and mind.  Walking has not come yet, so we transport her on a wheelchair stroller but we still have hope that one day she will be able to walk on her own. She receives 16 hour a day of home health nurses that come to the house to help me take care of her. Every day is an obstacle and challenge that we as a family will always work hard to overcome.  We love her dearly, and won’t change a thing.  She is a fighter that won’t give up on her dreams with a family that will support her thru the toughest and the best of times.  Our main goal is that she will always be happy and comfortable. It kills me inside when she suffers and there is nothing we can do to help her. My other kids adore her, they have learned to understand that their baby sister is a special needs child.  They love to help us with her needs.  Our family works together, everyone pitching in to make it less overwhelming. The love we have for her is truly her strength and our motovaation to keep on fighting every day. We have been doing ok, but now she is getting bigger and older and is getting very difficult to transport her around. We are in dying need to have a Mobility Handi-Cap Mini-Van, to make her transporting to and from hospital,doctor's appt and recreactional can be better for her.This is whereI need all of your love and support in helping her with this blessing. you can only imagine the financial stuggles we will continue to face throughout her life!She truly does deserve this and more! I want to give her the best life i can give her with your help!
This web page is dedicated to our little Makayla.  Our little ray of sunshine, love, joy and happiness that keeps our family together and stronger. We want to tell other families that might be going thru the same or similar situation…Don’t give up! Never stop fight for the ones you love! The Visbal family will continue on trying to make Makayla’s Dreams a reality.




Organizer

Marlene Visbal
Organizer
Fair Lawn, NJ

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.