By Lois Werner | President
Last October we learned about Fredy. A friend met Fredy while visiting San Jose las Rosas. This remote village sits at the end of a rough, desolate road high in the mountains in San Martin, Jilotepeque.
Fredy is 11 years old and attends 4th grade at the local village school. His legs are twisted and not usable so he crawls to school. His mother died when Fredy was very young and his father abandoned Fredy and his two brothers. Fredy's uncle Jose, and his wife Cecelia, became Fredy's legal guardians. Jose works at a nearby farm and Cecelia takes care of the daily household chores. They can barely make ends meet.
No one can meet Fredy without being touched by his smile, his I-can-do-it attitude, and his tenancity. For years Fredy has dreamed he would be able to walk to school like the other kids. Maybe he could even play a game of soccer instead of sitting on the ground watching from the sideline.
We arranged for Fredy to receive a wheelchair and made an appointment for Fredy to be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon. He confirmed amputating Fredy's right leg below the knee and Fredy's left foot would allow him to be fitted with the correct prostheses so Fredy would be able to walk.
His dream will come true this summer. Fredy will have surgery at a hospital in Guatemala City. After the wounds heal, he will be fitted with prostheses. The surgery and road to recovery won't be easy for Fredy, but he has overcome adversity most of us could not imagine. He is ready for the journey.
There is no charge for the surgery but the family needs to pay for the blood tests, x-rays, medicine, food and transportation. The total cost will be about $500. The cost of the two prostheses is $800, and therapy will run about $200. A total of $1,500. Fredy could be walking before Christmas.
With your help we can make Fredy's dream come true.
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