The family of a child from San Vicente suffering from cerebral palsy is seeking help from the public so they can provide her proper medical care.
Six-year old Aleana Divea was born with the illness and has not been able to walk and speak since birth.
She is at present being attended to by her grandparents who are both farmers, while her widowed mother has to live in the city to work as a saleslady in a mall.
Emma Villena, the grandmother, told Palawan News on Saturday their sole source of income is a small family farm which is not sufficient for the patient’s medical needs.
“Kung sino man po ang may magandang kalooban na gustong tumulong sa apo ko, pasalamat ako na meron tumulong sa amin, kahit sa anong tulong para kay Aleana,” Villena said.
“Ang asawa ko nag-aararo sa basakan, ako naman naggugulayan kahit may batang binabantayan, gumagawa rin ako ng paraan kasi ‘yong high school ko tatlo, isang elementary, nagbo-boarding pa ‘yong mga anak ko kaya ‘yan, naggugulayan ako para makadagdag,” she added.
Villena stressed that aside from the physical demands of attending to Aleana, they are also struggling with finances to provide her the milk she needs.
When Aleana’s mother is unable to send money, she said they are the ones who shoulder the expense.
“Minsan hindi sapat kasi nagbo-boarding house siya. Ang suweldo niya P300 lang ang arawan, pero pang-konsumo pa niya. Kapag hindi siya nakakapadala, ako na rin ang bumibili ng gatas,” she said.
Villena said they have already tried to seek help from the municipal government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) but they have yet to receive any assistance.
As a grandmother, Villena said her only wish is to see Aleana recover so she can also go to school like the other children in their village.
