Dear
family & friends,
For the past few months I have been on the search for connections, contacts,
answers and help. For what you ask, well Maria-Claudia (my little cousin) who
is 6 years old and lives in Cuba and was diagnosed with Rett syndrome at just a
few months of age. If you are unaware of the syndrome, as I was before, Rett
syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects the way the brain develops. It
occurs almost exclusively in girls.
Babies with Rett
syndrome seem to develop normally at first, but symptoms surface after 6 months
of age. Over time, Rett syndrome affects the brains functions that are
responsible for cognitive, sensory, emotional motor and autonomic functions.
These can include learning, speech, sensory sensations, mood, movement,
breathing, cardiac function and even chewing, swallowing and digestion.
Unfortunately, in Mari’s case, she suffers from all the symptoms listed. Rett
syndrome is a developmental disorder, not a degenerative disorder. These young
girls will never have the ability to speak.
Last
year, I had the pleasure of finally meeting Mari. My heart melted right away.
Her eyes say so much, yet she is unable to communicate. She’s a beautiful
little girl and her condition is truly heart breaking. The scarcity of medical
advances in Cuba has taken a heavy toll on her health. Since then, I have made
it a personal goal to help Mari and her parents, in any way that I can. In my
mission to find help, I found Gods Innocent Angels Foundation for Rett
Syndrome (501c3). A beautiful foundation created in 2011 by Gisel “Gigi”
Gonzalez and Teri Rios. Every year, GIA hosts a Halloween Extravaganza, themed
“An Enchanting Evening in the Royal Palace”, to benefit the foundation in
raising funds for research and a center to assist children and families with
this rare Autism spectrum disorder.
I
am very excited to say that I will be attending the spooktacular party which
will be held at a private Estate on Saturday, October 12 2013 at 9:00pm. Ticket
prices for General Admission are for a Donation of $ 50.00 or $ 75.00 at the
door. There will also be VIP tickets sold for a $ 100.00 donation (no vip
tickets will be sold at the door). Tickets include drinks, food, prizes and
entertainment. Although I would love nothing more than to share this evening
with you guys, I fully understand that we can’t always commit to these
financial contributions and will include the information in case you would like
to donate in the future or your own chosen amount. All denominations are
accepted and 100% of the proceeds go to this charity event will go to the
foundation.
Every
penny counts for these little girls.
I
have also included a beautiful video where you can see Gia, the beautiful
little girl that inspired this foundation and a video from last year’s party.
If
you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me and please,
please forward this information to your family and friends.
Please
donate to God’s Innocent Angels Foundation and you will be giving a Rett
Syndrome family the voice of their child.
Checks
should be made payable to : Gods Innocent Angels Foundation and may be
turned in to me or mailed to:
PO
BOX 291858
Davie
FL 33329
Email:
godsinnocentangels@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Jessica
M. Castroman
I
am Maria-Claudia’s voice.
For the past few months I have been on the search for connections, contacts,
answers and help. For what you ask, well Maria-Claudia (my little cousin) who
is 6 years old and lives in Cuba and was diagnosed with Rett syndrome at just a
few months of age. If you are unaware of the syndrome, as I was before, Rett
syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects the way the brain develops. It
occurs almost exclusively in girls.
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