Daniel and Socorro are hopeful...

Posted by Linda Baril on January 22, 2010, 8:57 pm
187.146.129.117

We are reaching out to the people of La Manzanilla to help Daniel Cuevas Ramirez work towards becoming more mobile and independent. Some of you know Daniel and his mother Socorro. They live on Calle Playa Dorado across from the elementary school. Daniel is 21 years old and 4 years ago was in a car accident on his way to school (Prepatoria) in Miguel Hidalgo. This resulted in a spinal cord injury which has left him in a wheelchair. Until now, doctors have told Daniel that he will never walk again or live without pain. In spite of this, Daniel has maintained a positive attitude towards life and a belief that he can improve. Through a drawn out series of events, Daniel has now been given a prognosis that is positive and exciting. His X-ray images ended up in the hands of Dr. Max Greig, Orthopedic Surgeon of the Centro Ortopedico in Puerto Vallarta. On Jan. 18, Daniel, Socorro and I spend 4 1/2 hours with Dr. Greig and, after extensive consultation and testing, he has offered to work with Daniel. He is recommending a course of action that will allow Daniel to become "mobile and independent". This will necessitate Daniel spending six months in PV where he can access Dr. Greig and participate in an extensive rehabilitation program. Dr. Greig will assist Daniel in registering in Prepatoria in PV to ensure that he graduates this year. He will also assign him to a physical therapist who will work with him three times a week. Daniel has another serious issue. He has a massive ulcer on his upper leg/lower buttock that MUST be healed. It is over an inch in diameter and two inches deep - in other words, to the bone. This will not heal on itīs own. Dr. Greig explained that it will take up to 6 months of treatment to repair the ulcer through gauze packing, medication and possibly plastic surgery. He has offered to provide this ongoing treatment to Daniel free of charge; however the medical supplies (gauze & medication) will cost approx. $200. US each month until it is healed. In order to work with Dr. Greig Daniel will need to live in PV for 6 months. He will need help with medical supplies (including a leg brace), room and board and transportation to and from school and rehab. We are trying to make this option possible for Daniel and Socorro. Realistically, it will cost a minimum of $1000.US (12,000 pesos) each month for 6 months. Ideally, 20 people could contribute $50./month for 6 months. If you feel you are able to be part of this project or make a small contribution please contact Linda Baril at casita.linda@hotmail.com. A bank account will be set up with full disclosure of funds upon request. Dr. Max Greig has pledged to do what he can to help Daniel by offering his support, expertise and time. Check out his website (www.orthodoc.aaos.org/drmaxgreig)you could contact him through email if you wish to confirm his intentions. During our appointment in Vallarta he commented that Daniel is an intelligent young man with a strong will and a positive attitude who is a role model to others. He wrote that Daniel has "partial damage of the spinal cord. He needs all the support from his family and friends to be able to attend to his rehabilitation, continue his education and buy the needed orthopedic devices." Thanks for taking the time to read this (and many thanks to Linda Vincent in California for finding Dr. Max Greig and re-directing Danielīs X-rays to him). Respectfully, Linda B.

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