PAPA
The experience of staying overnight at the Senate compound and receiving nothing in return did not dampen the determination of Almery Igharas to look for donors for her only son, Mark Vincent Papa.
Three-year-old Mark suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and myopic astigmatism.
“That was in February. [The senator’s staff] promised to text me but they did not,” said Almery, a 24-year-old native from Kalibo, Aklan.
Although the other senator did not deliver on her promise, Almery said they received from Sen. Tito Sotto P5,000 which went to Mark’s physical and occupational therapy sessions at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center. The boy needs physical therapy to relax his muscles and boost his reflexes while occupational therapy teaches him to eat, digest and swallow food.
Mother and son are temporarily staying at a tire supply shop in San Rafael, Bulacan, where her husband, Aprilito Papa, works as a welder.
On Friday, Mark is scheduled to undergo dental surgery to remove almost all of his rotting teeth to prevent damage to his brain.
For this, the family will need P73,000 which they are still trying to raise. “I know God will find a way,” said Almery who can be reached at 0910-0036523. Donations can be deposited in her BPI Family Savings Bank account (Almery Igharas/account no. 7426-1321-89).