True religion, as Jesus taught, is taking care of the orphans and widows, and we believe that his heart may stretch to include the poor, sick, and destitute. Within Reach Global is growing, and one of our new focuses is on helping special needs kids.
So here’s a new story for you about a girl who has seizures every single day.
Meet Yssa, or Rissa Mae Ramos. She is a normal, happy 10 year old Filipina girl, except for one major thing. Yssa has sadly been suffering from Juvenile Epilepsy since she was 3 months old. This sweet girl was born to a very poor family in the Philippines, her father is a farmer and her mother is a housemaid. Their low income has been the main reason for Yssa gradually worsening condition.
Before Yssa was even born her life was threatened. Due to their severe poverty Yssa’s mother attempted to abort Yssa a couple months after she found out she was pregnant. Thankfully, the abortion was unsuccessful, but as a result Yssa would struggle with health issues from the failed procedure. As young as 3 months old Yssa started having seizures. This added to her families already difficult life. With no way to afford any medical help or medication, Yssa’s condition worsened. As she continued to get worse, she was forced out of school, and no longer able to live a normal life. No schools in her area will let her join, because she suffers from seizures about 3 times a day.
She has grown up rejected and unwanted. But the arms of Jesus are outstretched today.
With medication her seizures are subdued and less frequent, but her medication is expensive for a family that can barely put food on the table. She has to take Depakene (P570 = $13.5 per bottle) & Phenobarbital (P350 = $18.33 per bottle) everyday. Each of these bottles will last her about a week. So the costs add up quickly for her poor family.
Ever since she was diagnosed with epilepsy, her parents were always told to get a full blood test, as well as an MRI & EEG. These too are far beyond the financial means of her family. It will cost them about P30,000 ($714.28) to do all of the procedures. As a result they have never been done. Without the proper medical help or medication, Yssa continues to suffer, and her future is not very promising.
It seems to us that $714 is not a huge amount, and that there may be someone in the body of Christ who feels led to help save this little Filipina girl from the torments of Juvenile Epilepsy.
Please consider giving to this little girl. Her life can be forever changed for such a small amount. Regular medication will give her hope and better future. This is a great way to show God’s love in action. Your giving will surely open the eyes of her family to the true Healer and Savior.