Sedona Butterfly Effect

HIS STORY

MANUEL "THE LION HEART" SHOOTING FOR THE STARS. - VIDEO CHANNEL

Manuel Ahuitzotl Cortez-Ramirez, affectionately known as "Manuel The Lion Heart," is a brave and resilient three-year-old who has faced more challenges in his short life than many of us can imagine. Born on July 30th, 2021, at 9:04 AM at Millers Children's and Women's Hospital, Manuel’s arrival into the world was anything but ordinary. He was born via an emergency C-section due to placenta abruption, and from that moment, he has shown an incredible will to survive and thrive against the odds.

Manuel has been diagnosed with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) which is a rare form of epilepsy, and a rare genetic mutation known as DHDDS. These conditions have made Manuel’s life incredibly challenging, as he suffers from daily seizures—it started as 200+ a day, and has been managed to less than 20. His seizures, which began as infantile spasms and have since evolved into tonic-clonic seizures and LGS, have made his early years a continuous battle for stability and comfort.

Manuel works incredibly hard everyday in his various therapies to defy the odds and despite these overwhelming challenges, Manuel’s spirit is unbreakable. Although he’s non-verbal he has a mighty roar and speaks with his eyes. To know Manuel is to know true triumph. He continues to defy the odds that were said against him from his birth and set new standards. He has mountains to move and will not stop till he reaches the top. Our goals are not defined to the hard black and white truth but to the true testament to his spirit.

OUR ASK

Our Manuel’s courage and determination inspire everyone who knows him, and his family has been by his side every step of the way. However, the cost of his care is overwhelming. Between medical expenses, therapy sessions, specialized equipment, and daily living needs, the financial burden on the family is immense. Manuel’s care is ongoing, and continued therapy and different specialized equipment are vital for his progress. Such therapies and equipment are out-of-pocket and not covered by insurance. These include:

· Water Therapy: To help with muscle relaxation and strength.

· Hyperbaric Treatment: To promote healing and improve neurological function.

· E-Stim (Electrical Stimulation): To stimulate muscles and improve motor function.

· Cutting-edge Intensive Therapy Programs: such as DMI therapy, to encourage new neural connections between his muscles and brain.

Update

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We are reaching out to our community and beyond to help us provide our special miracle warrior Manuel with the care, therapies, special outings and equipment he desperately needs. The financial burden of Manuel’s medical expenses, therapies, and specialized equipment is immense, and we cannot do it alone. Your contribution will help ensure that Manuel continues to receive the best possible care and that his family can focus on what matters most—his health and happiness.

Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of Manuel’s journey. If you are not in a position to make a donation right, we would appreciate your sharing his story on your social media! Your support, whether through a donation or by sharing this campaign, will make a significant difference in Manuel’s life and those that helped him along the way.

Every donation, no matter how small, makes a significant difference in Manuel’s life. Together, we can help "Manuel The Lion Heart" continue his courageous fight and ensure he has the resources he needs to live a life full of love, support, and opportunity.

There is indeed power in his name, and with your help, our boy Manuel will continue to show the world the strength of his lion heart. It takes a village to raise a child and we are appreciate every person that loves our like their own. New and old this would not be the same if not for your unconditional love, prayers and genuine support. even with his daily struggles we hope to inspire the people around us like they have to us. Manuel will continue to show the world the strength of his lion heart.

Support

A special thanks to the families and organizations we've met along the way that have inspired and helped us navigate our journey: Sedona Butterfly Effect , the Ariana Rye Foundation, Hope For Nathan GoFundMe, All_Kids_Are_Perfect, SoAmazingDoula, Acts Community Bible Church

We have teamed up with Sedona Butterfly Effect (SBE, also known as Sedonation Memorial Fund), a non-profit that serves babies with cerebral palsy. Your donation is tax-deductible, and SBE will match your donations up to $3000. If your employer provides corporate matching donations, please contact SBE directly via http://www.sedonabutterflyeffect.org to make arrangements.

More information about Sedona Butterfly Effect: Our mission is to help underserved families who have babies 0-3 years old that are at-risk or diagnosed with cerebral palsy (i.e. brain injury, HIE, prematurity) achieve their full potential by providing the resources, support, and greater access to early intervention therapies and treatments.

Gus was born 2 months early via emergency c-section after a routine ultrasound showed multiple intraventricular hemorrhages (brain bleeds) causing chronic hydrocephaly. At the time, the only hope was to be able to meet him before he passed but after 3 months in the NICU and multiple brain surgeries he was able to come home last July. Without going into every specific detail here, he has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and is stable but with significant milestone delays. Due to his diagnosis, risk factors and near daily appointments he requires in-home care as Martine returns to work in the coming days.

All of us who know Ben and Martine know that Gus has the best possible parents caring for him. Unfortunately, there are many things that Gus needs that aren't covered by insurance or state programs. Martine spends several hours a day negotiating with insurance and looking for ways to get as much coverage as possible. Even with her fierce advocacy, they are paying thousands of dollars a month on out of pocket expenses to give Gus the best care he deserves. This includes paying for a recurring intensive physical therapy program, paying for a nanny who is trained in and has experience working with children with similar needs, and obtaining equipment specific to Gus’ mobility issues. It means the world to Ben and Martine to know they have all of your support.

We appreciate anything you can contribute that can help ease the financial strain of this situation and allow them more space to enjoy their beautiful boy and wonderful family.

We have teamed up with Sedona Butterfly Effect (SBE), a non-profit that serves babies with cerebral palsy. Your donation is tax-deductible, and SBE will match your donations up to $3000. If your employer provides matching donations, please contact SBE directly via http://sedonabutterflyeffect.org to make arrangements.

More information about Sedona Butterfly Effect: Our mission is to help underserved families who have babies 0-3 years old that are at-risk or diagnosed with cerebral palsy (i.e. brain injury, HIE, prematurity) achieve their full potential by providing the resources, support, and greater access to early intervention therapies and treatments.