Maltese Parents’ 7-Year-Old Son Has Cerebral Palsy And They’ve Already Raised €28,000 To Help Him
7-year-old Gabriel Abela was born with cerebral palsy, meaning his life will undoubtedly be more challenging than it will for most of us.
However, he has been approved as an eligible candidate for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) in the United States, a delicate surgical procedure that involves the cutting of some sensory nerve fibres between muscles and the spinal cord.
The surgery has been proven to improve the movements and reduce the pain of people with cerebral palsy, but in total it will cost the Abelas a whopping €80,000.
https://www.facebook.com/244476265701832/videos/2462969827128842/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
So his parents Marcelle and Mario Abela are using a Facebook page they had set up to raise awareness about her son’s condition to ask the public for donations large and small.
“Gabriel has come a long way and, up till now, through all the hardships our family has had to endure with regard to providing and making all the adequate adjustments, we have managed to be on track and on the dot,” a post on the Sunshine for Gabriel page reads.
“There is no perfect way and no true hidden formula that will reveal to us some kind of a cure! Hence alternative curative treatments exist and we have evaluated and re-evaluated [our options] over time.”
Photo: Sunshine for Gabriel
“As important as therapies may be, and yes they do play a big part of the role in a child or adult with cerebral palsy, the SDR can complement a better quality of life! So when we were told that Gabriel is an eligible candidate for an SDR by TS Park, we started working on how we can start to fundraise.”
“We applied for the legal permits and every cent donated is being quoted for legitimately.”
The initiative has gathered steam over the past month and the Abelas are already more than a quarter of the way to achieving their goal, having raised €28,242 in a matter of weeks.
“Revolut donations are on the rise and we are overwhelmed by the generosity and support for our son’s cause,” the page reads. “We are so grateful and the rate the momentum in raising these funds is pacing at [is unbelievable]! Stay with us by sharing posts.”
All photos: Sunshine for Gabriel
People are being encouraged to donate through internet banking or Revolut, the details of which can be found on the Sunshine for Gabriel Facebook page.
READ NEXT: Maltese Bodybuilder Is Travelling To Nigeria To Help His Dad’s Village And He Needs Your Help
