From Jen Salem - Peruvian boy in need of help

[Guest guest]

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