Wesley Strong

I am Maryann Popovich and I’ve started this go fund me to help pay some of the medical bills, treatments and expenses for my son Wesley. Wesley Dean Zapata was born on 2/13/18. A handsome baby boy weighing 7.5lbs and 16 inches long.  My dreams of becoming a mother had come true, then I blinked and my baby was being rushed to the NICU. 


During my pregnancy I learned that my son had dilated loops of bowel. After seeing a specialist it was determined that Wesley would need some form of surgery at birth to correct it and would have to be delivered in Phoenix where the proper medical attention and NICU were available. At birth he was diagnosed with a jejunal atresia. Jejunal atresia is a birth defect in a newborn characterized by partial or complete absence of the membrane connecting the small intestines to the abdominal wall (the mesentery). It causes a portion of the small intestines (the jejunum) to twist around an artery that supplies blood to the colon (the marginal artery). This leads to an intestinal blockage or "atresia."
Wesley’s atresia pictures below:
They removed his jejunum and then we began our 38 day stay in the NICU at Banner University while Wesley recovered.




During this time it was also discovered that something was wrong with his arms. He was unable to extend them and flaccid. After evaluation from an pediatric orthopedist he was diagnosed with arthrogryposis muliplexa congenita. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital, or simply arthrogryposis, describes congenital joint contracture in two or more areas of the body. In Wesley’s case, he has muscle contractures in both arms at the elbow and webbing at the anticubital space. This made him unable to extend his arms. At birth he had at best 10 degrees extension in both arms. Wesley is now 9 months old.

Since then we have seen countless physical therapists, occupational therapists, pediatric orthopedists and plastic surgeons to devise a proper plan of care. Due to the extensive nature of his diagnosis I also had to quit my job to be  home full time with him. Wesley is now enduring serial casting on both arms. This has all posed a very big financial burden on myself and family. We go weekly from Show Low to Phoenix to adjust his casts which will be a lengthy process in attempts to regain some extension. His left arm has greatly benefited from the casting, unfortunately his right arm hasn’t been so lucky. His right arm has an underdeveloped bicep and lacks a tricep. He has been at a standstill with his right arms progression since he was 4 months old. While we will continue casting, it has become evident that he will need multiple corrective surgeries in his right arm.



I went into labor at 36 weeks and had to be flown to Phoenix. During the flight I was turned around and returned to Show Low due to a storm. I was then transported via ambulance to Phoenix. That being said I am left with a flight bill of $25,000 that insurance refuses to pay. All that and the extensive cost of traveling back and forth weekly, having a co pay for his NICU stay, appointments/treatments and being unemployed it has become overwhelming to provide for my son. My family has been so supportive both emotionally and financially, but it is becoming almost impossible to keep up with the cost of everything including my personal bills. Any support is greatly appreciated. My family urged me to start a page when he was born , but I wanted to attempt at doing it myself. Thank you for reading Wesley’s story. My sincerest gratitude  ❤️❤️❤️