Sydney Cocson, a 7-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with global developmental delay, is into the “first-things-first mantra” kind of treatment at Philippine General Hospital, her mother, Shirley, told the Inquirer.
“She is taught to sit in preparation for standing and after standing, she will be taught to walk. Speech will come next. She is virtually a girl trapped in a baby’s body,” the single mother from Malate, Manila, said.
Shirley added that despite her daughter’s age, she has yet to sit down, stand up, walk and speak, much less eat solid food. For now, she is fed baby food through a medicine dropper.
Shirley said that her daughter was born at eight months and that the baby spent two and a half months at the intensive care unit of Fabella Hospital as a result.
Due to the care her daughter needs, Shirley said she has not been able to work for a living. “That’s why I am appealing for help from the countless readers of your paper,” she said in Filipino.
Those who want to help Shirley and her baby can call 0906-7300102. Donations can be deposited in Shirley’s BDO account with account number 6018539055514909.