Little Larissa - please read

[JohnBFisher]

... For I was hungry and ...

There's an old saying by the Jewish Rabbis that seems to capture this. The very first question posed in the Judea/Christian scriptures is:

Am I my brother's keeper?

And of course, the Rabbis then note that the rest of the scriptures is God's answer to that question.

How we treat the "The Least, the Last and the Lost" determines the strength of a society. Where would you rather live? Where everyone is only worried about themselves and those around them? Or where people try to make a difference in the world? Most of us naturally prefer the latter. We yearn for a sense of community, which cares about itself and others around them.

That's exactly why I enjoy posting here. So many of you do what you can to help others.

[sapphirerose]

I'm new to the forum and just read this story. The generosity and kindness of all involved is very heart-warming.

I'm wondering, as of 2012, does she still need help getting additional supplies for her machine like filters, masks, hoses, etc., or has a local source been found?

[brazilian]

sapphirerose, Laryssa's family is very very poor, they live in a rural area near a country city, and supplies are very expensive here (everything in Brazil costs 3X its price comparing to the US - very high import taxes).

Usually, the government health system provides supplies, but only when they are available (which is not quite frequent, and there are lots of other children with respiratory problems which they must take care of.)

the best (and sometimes quickest) way we found to help her (her masks usually wear out in a year) is to have donations sent to someone that is travelling to the US and then forwarding the donations to her, through the health system (which brings her to our town once a month for check-up).

regards
nelson

[sapphirerose]

Brazilian, Please be sure to post the next time you have someone able to take her donations. I would like to help if my budget and finances still allow at that time.

[brazilian]

Sapphirerose, surely will do!

Blessings to you!

[Kairosgrammy]

Brazillion, I checked with my sister. She had disposed of my brother's bi-pap. Thought I'd let you know. It really wasn't very old, my brother probably had it replace around a year before he died. My sister is anti-packrat so tends to get rid of anything not used.

[brazilian]

Kairosgrammy, never mind, and thanks anyway for your concern!

Warm Regards and Blessings

Nelson

[Kiralynx]

sapphirerose, Laryssa's family is very very poor, they live in a rural area near a country city, and supplies are very expensive here (everything in Brazil costs 3X its price comparing to the US - very high import taxes).

Usually, the government health system provides supplies, but only when they are available (which is not quite frequent, and there are lots of other children with respiratory problems which they must take care of.)

the best (and sometimes quickest) way we found to help her (her masks usually wear out in a year) is to have donations sent to someone that is travelling to the US and then forwarding the donations to her, through the health system (which brings her to our town once a month for check-up).

Nelson,

Do you have an update on how Larissa is doing? It's been four years since you first posted your call for assistance and people here responded so generously. Children DO grow quickly, and I admit to wondering how she's doing. She should be almost seven now, and possibly in school.

[SleepingUgly]

Do you have an update on how Larissa is doing? It's been four years since you first posted your call for assistance and people here responded so generously. Children DO grow quickly, and I admit to wondering how she's doing. She should be almost seven now, and possibly in school.

There are pictures and an update one page back from here.

[brazilian]

Kiralynx, check previous page (#38) that I have posted two days ago...!

You will see recent pics of Laryssa wearing her school uniform, and also pics taken during her vacations on the beach.

She is doing fine, her mother told me, her health has improved, and also her breathing at night. She is very lively, intelligent, and likes to go to school.

She has been closely followed by the state health service, and has quite a normal life, except for sleeping with the biPap.

Warm regards

Nelson

[SleepingUgly]

Do you see Larissa or just get reports and pictures from her mother?

Glad she's doing so well!

[brazilian]

SleepingUgly, sometimes I phone her mother, most often I see her connected to MSN and then ask her about our girl. Unfortunately, all the times they came to town for checkup I was traveling...