Mary Jonathan Beltran
In July last year, Mary Jonathan “Jona” de Vera Beltran, 35 years old and a mother of two, woke up with a severe headache and unable to move one of her feet. A month later, she experienced shaking all over her body and vomiting, leading to her confinement at Regional 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
In the following days, Jona’s condition worsened as she became paralyzed. An MRI test later revealed that she had demyelinating disease, a condition that damaged the protective covering of nerve fibers in the brain, nerves leading to the eyes and spinal cord. When this happens, a patient’s nerve impulses slow or even stop, causing neurological problems such as paralysis and blindness.
“It was like my world crumbled. My condition has affected even my role as a mother and wife,” Jona said. Her husband, Harvey Beltran, a part-time van driver, and their two children Hana, 14, and Lee, 7, divided among themselves the household chores while taking turns in looking after her.
“Instead of me taking care of my children, they are now the ones looking after me. It is so painful to see them getting exhausted from caring for me. I seem to be useless and have become a burden to them,” Jona added. Unable to walk or use her arms and hands, Jona, a sales promotion assistant at an appliance store in Lingayen town, has stopped working. Last month, her vision also started becoming severely blurred, leaving her almost blind.
Overwhelmed by the huge costs of her medicines and medical care, including tests and occasional confinement in the hospital, Jona appealed for financial support to help her get better and fulfill her role as a wife and mother. Her husband’s earnings as a part-time driver are simply not enough to sustain even just their daily needs, much more her medical expenses. “I would like to ask for help from others so that I can be given another chance to get well and be a mother to my children,” she said.
Those who want to get in touch with Jona or Harvey can call 0995-7788527. Donations can be deposited in RCBC savings account no. 9035776198 under the account name of Mary Jonathan Beltran.