Help Layla Walk Again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hl9mkDsAWI I am here to ask your support to help LAYLA WALK AGAIN.

 

Layla is my gifted, beautiful, courageous, goddaughter. When she was 18 months old she contracted a fever and was treated for septic arthritis. She was taken to Miami for 3 months where she was treated for pediatric rheumatoid arthritis. After years of steroids, a new doctor was introduced to her at the age of 9 and changed her medication. This change created low iron and caused her muscles to constrain which resulted in her becoming wheelchair bound.

 

The Dominican Republic, like most developing countries, elevators and handicap accessible accommodations are almost non-existent. Her dad is her elevator – he carries her and her wheelchair everywhere. When she was in the university where she was Valedictorian, he carried her up 3 flights of stairs daily to attend classes. An industrial engineer by trade, he ran a bakery from his home, in order to be available to Layla 24 hours a day. The dedication and love this family of five shares is like no other I have ever witnessed in my life. The bond Layla and I have continues to be one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.

 

My cousin Lisa and her husband Kevin, shared Layla’s story with Dr. Mady Stazzone, who is the President and Founder of POP - Pediatric Orthopedic Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving pediatric orthopedic care in the developing world. After seeing Layla’s video, Dr. Stazzone began to make Layla’s hope for the future to walk become a reality; securing all hospital and surgical related expenses.

 

On November 1, Layla and her dad will be flying to the US to St. Louis where Dr. Stazzone has set up a surgical team who will begin to replace her hips, knees and other joints as required. Layla and her dad will be in the US approximately one year, or for as long as it takes to see LAYLA WALK AGAIN - which means her dad will be unable to work and support his family - he will leave his wife and 2 other daughters in the Dominican Republic.

 

Please help us help LAYLA and her family see LAYLA WALK AGAIN.

 

The minimum expected support needed is $20,000 for the following:

- $1500 for two plane tickets from the Dominican Republic to St. Louis for November

- $465 a month for accommodations at the Ronald McDonald House or similar

- $850 monthly living expenses while in US to cover food, transportation, clothing, personal hygiene, travel insurance, and cell phones.

- $2,250 for three round trip plane tickets for Vielka to visit Ricardo and Layla.

 I will provide updates every month as we follow Layla on her journey to WALK AGAIN.

 

Thank you, we are grateful and humbled by your support.