Re: TO Jen SALEM and ALL- Peruvian boy in need of help

[Guest guest]

I put out a little note a work and attached your letter. Within 20 minutes, I

had 45.00 in my hands! I am also collecting afew other items. I am willing

to house them this summer if needed.

Kim Chir

Berlin/Gene Bowen wrote:

,

What an amazing story! We will send $25 and will send your e-mail to our

family. I know we can make this happen!!

, Jonah's mom

From Jen Salem - Peruvian boy in need of help

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> Jen Salem from MAGIC here. My apologies first -- I have not been

> able to get on the listserve since April 5th or so. Please contact

> me directly if you have any questions for me, because I undoubtedly

> will not have time to go back and read old emails. Newsletter copy

> was due 2 days ago.... still haven't turned it in .... you all know

> how busy spring can get with kids.

>

> So many of us are so blessed with our RSS/SGA children and the

> education and treatment options we have access to (even if

> limited). MAGIC has been blessed to have been in contact with an

> incredible mom from Peru named Deysi (she may be on the listserve, I

> do not know). She has a 2 year old son named and she has

> forwarded us incredible photos. Photos that very much remind me of

> Colton (Libby's son) and Christian Chavez ('s son) and

> Cals (Jodi's son). The same mild RSS look but the

> haunting big eyes, the ears that protrude just so. appears

> to have significant asymmetry of the left leg. He is very small but

> his weight for height doesn't appear too severe.

>

> His mother has been battling and pushing and doing everything she

> can to find out everything about RSS for . Simply put, her

> options in Peru are extremely limited.

>

> This young mother has suffered greatly in her life, and absolutely

> knows what hunger is; gifts are rare in her life. And yet her son

> is the love of her young life. If I could post even some of her

> letters -- they truly are incredible. She clearly has fought for

> her education and done everything she can to learn as much English

> as possible.

>

> Our RSS/SGA division is providing financial aid to ensure that their

> hotel and registration/fees are covered for the convention. MAGIC's

> Chicago office is working with the American embassy to ensure the

> proper paperwork is turned in for the VISAs. However, the cheapest

> airfare we can find so far is $661 per person (she would need about

> $1,300 for she and ).

>

> There is no way that she could afford even $100. She has no one to

> help her raise this money in Peru. Our RSS/SGA general

> scholarship fund can not pay for her airfare because we have " set

> standard " scholarships to make things equitable.

>

> However, we CAN take directed donations from other families for

> their airfare. Another family can do a fundraiser and " earmark " the

> funds for and Deysi's airfare.

>

> I will be honest that in the beginning, I was hesitant about this.

> In my mind I kept thinking, why is one family more important than

> another? Why should we spend so much money on airfare for one

> family? Then I received 's photos in the mail. My heart

> broke. His home is immaculate and yet it is clear that they live

> below what we would call the poverty line. And yet he smiles in the

> photos and the photos of he and his mother -- she adores him.

>

> So. Can we do this? Can we raise $1,300 for to come to

> America to see Dr. Harbison and for Deysi to meet all of you and

> learn about RSS and possible treatments? She has an American

> father; I do not believe she is in contact with him but I may try

> and contact him myself. But through him, maybe there is the chance

> that could receive ongoing care in the US, if it is needed??

>

> Remember last summer when I posted about LeeAnn from Korea?? How

> her potential adoptive family had decided not to adopt her, and Dr.

> Harbison truly believed that LeeAnn was an angel and needed a home

> in the US? So many of you talked to your family and friends, and

> literally 3 different families contacted the agency about adopting

> her. And guess what -- on this listserve now is the amazing

> mother to LeeAnn!!!! I am so sorry to be so emotional but this is

> why Katy and I keep staying on as volunteers for MAGIC. This

> listserve has the power to literally alter the course of a child's

> life for the better. What an incredible power to be given.

>

> My daughter and I get on a plane next Wednesday to see Dr.

> Harbison, and WE CAN DO THAT!!!! My daughter has been so blessed by

> access to the best medical care. Why shouldn't any child have the

> same access?

>

> If 100 families on this listserve gave $15 each, we would raise

> enough money to pay for their airfare. Can some of us skip

> Starbucks for two weeks? Watch television at home this weekend

> instead of going to the movies?

>

> If you can, mail any donations to MAGIC with a note that says the

> money is earmarked for 's Airfare Scholarship Fund, c/o MAGIC

> Foundation, 6645 W. North Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302.

>

> Thank you for listening. If your family is unable to contribute at

> this time, prayers are worth just as much, if not more!!!!

>

> God bless all of our children.

> Salem

> RSS/SGA Division Co-Consultant

> MAGIC Foundation

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