Mable Zane de Leon
Mable Zane de Leon’s strong heart keeps her going despite the fact that she was born with cerebral palsy which affects her breathing and food intake.
De Leon was diagnosed with the ailment just two months after she was born on May 9 last year when her body turned yellow. Cerebral palsy is characterized by late or slow mental development.
“Her daily episodes of seizure are caused by cerebral palsy. She needs to take medicines to prevent these seizures,” her mother, Windy, told the Inquirer recently.
Windy and her family live in Tondo, Manila.
Doctors at Mary Johnston Hospital have recommended that De Leon undergo two operations — on her neck and abdomen — “so she can breathe and eat through separate tubes.”
The operations, according to Windy, would cost P70,000, an unthinkable sum for her and her husband, Michael, a machine operator at a condiments factory.
Windy used to be a casual employee at Manila City Hall.
“When doctors told us that my baby’s heart is as strong as any normal person’s heart can be, it gave us hope. Who are we to feel defeated? In fact, every time I touch Mable and feel her respond as if nothing is wrong with her, I believe that God will save her,” Windy said.
Windy de Leon can be reached at 0926-7232530. Donations can be deposited in her Landbank account (#1987-2659-37).