Children with Special Needs a Challenge for Low Income Families

Proj.1: Mexico - VERONICA & HER DAUGHTER PATRICIA Update

Veronica is a single mother with three children - Patricia, (22) who is suffering from cerebral palsy (photo), Naomi (15), and Alexander (16). When asked about her children, Veronica cannot help but cry as she explains her family’s needs.

Veronica works as a maid three days a week, leaving the other days to take Patricia to the city for therapy - a four-hour round trip. Her pay is not enough to keep up with her family expenses. In order to make up for the lack of income, Veronica has resorted to begging on the street when in the city. Despite her efforts, she typically only raises a few pesos and, at times, not even a coin.

The cost of therapy as well as the transportation costs makes life difficult for the family. For meals, her family often eats Tacos de Sal (tortillas with salt inside) because they have nothing else to eat. Tortillas in Mexico are inexpensive and easy to get and, since they have no money to buy food, she adds salt inside so her children can at least enjoy some taste. Veronica’s two other children, Naomi and Alejandro, also work part time to help her mom.

Naomi (15) works as a housekeeper every day from 8 a.m. to noon and then goes to school from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Alejandro follows a similar schedule but instead works in his uncle's body shop from 8 am to noon.

If you would like to help Veronica and Patricia you can find them every Thursday and Friday (days of Patricia therapy) in the Angel area in Mexico City; outside Sanborns’ store. If you see Veronica and Patricia please do not ignore them and remember that a few coins can bring some relief to this family.

SUPPORT - What are the needs of this family?

1. A new wheelchair

2. Diapers (Adult - Medium) for Patricia. UPDATE

3. Food and Groceries

4. Clothes for ages 15, 16, y 22 años.

5. Equestrian therapy

To help Patricia please call her mom at cel# 55-1140-3882