AT NINE years old, Jennyca Beniz Cruzado is unable to walk because she was born with cerebral palsy.
“There is hope of seeing her walk someday according to neurologists provided she undergoes physical and occupational therapies,” her 55-year-old grandmother Rita Boral, who serves as her guardian, told the Inquirer.
Jennyca was born out of wedlock to Boral’s daughter who is now married to a policeman. Her stepfather, however, treats her like his own daughter.
Although wheelchair-bound, Jennyca, who lives in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, with Boral, is enrolled as a kindergarten student under the special education program of the Old Balara Elementary School.
“She now knows how to write her name. She draws and colors her drawings… When she watches TV, she sings along when ‘God Gave Me You’ is being played on Eat… Bulaga! She’s a fan of Alden (Richards) and Yaya Dub,” Boral said.
CRUZADO
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Boral takes her granddaughter to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center for her regular checkup.
Doctors recently recommended that Jennyca be given botox injections to loosen and relax her muscles. The procedure will cost P88,000, an amount which Boral asked Inquirer readers to help her raise.
Rita Boral can be reached at 0912-8804613. Deposits can be made to her Metrobank account (#3233323199265).