The operation costs $20,000 but the mother has no health insurance. She is not able to attend school when her eyes are in an inflamed state. This is quite difficult for Maria since she wants to succeed and she knows that a good education is the key to her success."Maria herself has written about her circumstances as follows:
"Like any real-life story at first all was joy and happiness, until I was 5 years old. It was then given to me Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which killed all organic defenses in my body but also my happiness and my life, and also that of my family. This syndrome changed me forever. I could no longer play in the park, share with my loved ones and be with my dad, mom, and brothers. Instead it was replaced with hospitals, emergency operations and stronger moral worth.
Change was so strong and I lost everything material. Money was not the most important if not the consequences of the syndrome left in my life. Not only medically but it stole all my childhood, my joy and most importantly my happiness. The consequences it had for my family was great and my hope for recovery never ends.
The most important thing in my life is that I learned was to appreciate life. The disease made my mom come closer to me because she was the one who always stood by me and watched me struggle, and always gave me strength to continue in this life struggle that I did not ask to live in. My biggest dreams of my life are to recover fully, live happily, and be an example to every child who has struggles. I want to explain that what is really important in life is to keep fighting. For that reason I will continue on this path to be a winner and study to achieve all my goals."
Mr. Monte continues: For all of the hardships Maria has had to endure, her vision loss, and leaving her family behind in Colombia, she continues to be a child with a sunny personality and one who is grateful to all who have worked with her and helped her. She is truly an exceptional human being.
The following operations must be done to restore Maria's vision and her toward a resolution of her medical condition.
There will be two separate operations: an oral mucosa graft, an amniotic membrane transplant, and fornix reconstruction.
A fund has been started to help the Suarez family defray the costs of Maria's medical treatment. Mr. Monte has already made a generous contribution to the fund. If you wish to contribute to the fund, checks should be made out to the Ocular Surface Center. In the "For" section, put "Maria Suarez Fund." The mailing address is: Attention: Jackie Colon, Ocular Surface Center, 7000 SW 97th Avenue, Suite 213, Miami, Florida 33173.
