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¡Meet Juan Diego!
Hi, my name is Juan Diego. I’m 14 years old. I live with my family in a small house in San Miguel on the island of Cozumel. I also have many special challenges which make my life different and sometimes hard. I was born with the most severe form of Spina Bifida, which is called Myelomeningocele. This birth defect results in the spinal nerves bulging out through a gap in my vertebrae. I have a softball size lump in the middle of my back. I have several other problems which sometimes come along with this form of Spina Bifida:
I’m completely blind (but my hearing is good) I have Hydrocephalus (with a shunt to drain the excess fluid from my brain) I have severe cognitive disabilities I’m paralyzed in the lower half of my body I don’t eat through my mouth, but I’m fed through a g-tube that goes straight to my stomach I don’t have any bladder or bowel control
		I’m a pretty laid back guy and spend most of my time in my bed or on the sofa in the living room. My mom or someone else picks me up to move me from one location to another. I like listening to music or musical toys and I like it when the TV is turned on. To interact with me, my family talks and sings and rubs my arms and legs.
Juan Diego’s family faces several challenges: Financial: The family receives some support from the Mexican government; however, Juan Diego’s medications cost them $200 US dollars per month. He also uses 3-4 dozen diapers per week. Mobility: Being able to easily transport Juan Diego without having to pick him up and carry him. Note: We were able to get a wheelchair for Juan Diego and his mom has already taken him out in the community. Quality of Life: Finding ways to encourage Juan Diego’s use of his hearing and other senses so he has something pleasurable in his life.

Would you like to help Juan Diego and his family by…
¿Donating diapers or money to purchase diapers? We purchased diapers at Chedraui (the large grocery store on the island) for $12 for 33 diapers (.36 cents per diaper). This price is comparable to prices in the US. He wears diapers for 35+ pounds (Huggies, size 6). ¿Donating money to assist in paying for his monthly medications? ¿Sharing ideas to help Juan Diego explore and experience life through his hearing, touch, smell and movement, etc.
Donations for Juan Diego can be made directly to Martin at the DWM shop or: Call or write Paddi or John Phone ~ 503.838.6408 Email ~ paddid@qmail.com ¡Muchas Gracias!