Wilson is a twelve-year-old boy from rural Guatemala. He likes to play with toy cars and go to church with his family. His favorite foods include chicken, eggs, and bread.
When he was just three days old, he became very sick. He spent a month in the hospital because he was experiencing jaundice and seizures. After being released from the hospital, he continued to experience regular fevers and missed several developmental milestones. At one year old, he weighed only eight pounds and was unable to speak or sit up on his own.
Doctors have since learned that the seizures caused Wilson irreparable brain damage. Although he no longer experiences seizures, he cannot speak and uses hand signals to communicate with his family.
In June of last year, Wilson received Watsi funding for physical therapy to help him grow stronger and communicate more easily. His family reported that the therapy made his arms stronger. Although physical therapy was very helpful in improving Wilson’s life, he is still confined to his home. Any time Wilson needs to leave his house, his family has to carry him, which is becoming increasingly difficult as he grows.
Wilson’s father works on a farm growing corn and beans, and his mother takes care of Wilson and the house. Their family cannot afford to buy a wheelchair. For this reason, our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $1,034 to fund a wheelchair for Wilson. The wheelchair will allow him to travel to doctor’s appointments more easily and participate in community life.
“I am very happy, and I hope that everything will keep getting better,” says Wilson’s mother.
