Help Leanna Get Life-Changing Surgery for Severe Ptosis
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Hi everyone,
We are Diana and Alexandre, and we are reaching out for your help to support our precious 10-month-old daughter. Leanna urgently needs surgery to correct Congenital Bilateral Ptosis (droopy eyelid).
Leanna is a healthy, happy little girl and a strong fighter. She has already overcome severe challenges, including hospitalization in her first month as she couldn't breathe due to Severe Laryngomalacia (floppy tissue on the voice box). Thankfully, that issue has been resolved, but now she faces another significant hurdle: severe Bilateral Ptosis.
The Challenge
Leanna’s eyelid muscles function very poorly, severely compromising her vision. Her eyelids droop so much that they cover a significant portion of her eyes, making it difficult for her to see clearly. This condition is caused by the abnormal development of the tissues that support and move her eyelids, resulting in very weak or absent muscle function. If we do not address this soon, she risks:
- Permanent vision impairment: Especially Amblyopia (Lazy Eye).
- Spine/neck issues: Constantly lifting her chin to see better, known as the "chin-up position."
- Falls and injuries: Higher risk of tripping and falling due to vision impairment and fatigue from straining to see.
- Motor skills delays: Vision problems can interfere with hand-eye coordination and developmental milestones, making it harder for Leanna to learn to crawl, walk, and play.
The Solution
After multiple visits to Sick Kids Hospital and extensive research, we found that the best surgery for Leanna, with the highest success rate and long-lasting effect, is called “Frontalis Flap Surgery.”
Frontalis Flap Surgery has multiple benefits:
- Requires only one incision: Made along the natural crease of the forehead to minimize visible scarring.
- Connects the Forehead Muscle (Frontalis Muscle) directly to the eyelid: Creating more natural movement.
- Stronger connection: Uses the body's own tissue, building a strong, durable connection that allows Leanna to participate in sports and physical activities without constraints.
- Improved self-esteem: A natural appearance will help Leanna feel more confident as she grows.
- Reduced need for future surgeries: The durable connection reduces the likelihood of needing additional corrective surgeries.
- Better overall eye health: Proper eyelid function helps prevent dryness, irritation, and infections.
This technique will allow Leanna to use her eyelids effectively, ensuring she can see and interact with the world just like any other child. No one will be able to tell she ever had a problem, and she will feel and function like a normal child.
Our Hope
Unfortunately, this advanced technique is not performed in Canada, so we hope to bring Leanna to see Dr. Ramon Medel, a renowned Spanish Oculoplastic Surgeon, in July for this surgery. The surgery costs €12,000 (approximately $18,000 CAD), and we also need to cover travel expenses to Malaga, Spain.
How You Can Help
Any support you can give is greatly appreciated! Your donation will help cover:
- Surgery costs.
- Travel expenses.
- Post-operative care.
Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to giving Leanna the chance for a healthy, happy life with clear vision.
Thank You
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story. Your support means the world to us.
With love and gratitude,
Diana & Alexandre
Fundraising team (2)
Alexandre Dos Santos Dias
Organizer
North York, ON
Diana Saleiro
Team member