To get Sarita to her physical therapy appointments in Guatemala City, Dora carries her daughter in a makeshift sling.

GUATEMALA CITY – Dora had just enough time to get her daughter out of the house before the flames consumed all of their belongings.

She and her husband Miguel were thankful that all of their children were safe from the flames, including their daughter Sarita, who has been paralyzed since birth.

Give a wheelchair to someone disabled

But along with their other belongings, Sarita’s wheelchair was also destroyed by the fire. So when it came time to take Sarita to her next physical therapy appointment, Dora created a makeshift sling and strapped Sarita to her chest.

Years later, however, the growing girl was becoming too heavy for Dora to carry long distances.

“I used to take my daughter to the park and she was very happy when we did that,” Dora said. “But after losing her wheelchair, it became very difficult for me to take her on a walk.”

Dora and her daughter Sarita enjoy the blessing of their new wheelchair.

However, the sling was the only way for Dora to get Sarita to the bus that would take them across town to her appointment. Dora continues Sarita’s physical therapy with the hope that someday she will be able to talk or even walk.

One afternoon while Dora was carrying Sarita home from therapy, a stranger pulled up in a car next to her and rolled down the window. The person asked her about her daughter and why she was carrying her. The friendly driver then told Dora about Operation Blessing.

Dora called OB Guatemala and a few weeks later, OBI staff visited her home with a brand new wheelchair for Sarita.

“I don’t have words enough to thank you for your help,” Dora told them. “And although my daughter cannot express it in words, she is very happy inside. God bless you!”

The following week, OB Guatemala staff visited Dora and Sarita in their home again, bringing additional aid to help their family including cereal, medicine, and shoes.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 1997- 2012 by Operation Blessing International of this page and all contents. No part of this site may be used without prior written consent from OBI. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Email us at operation.blessing@ob.org.