UPDATE 02-27-2013 I spoke to our cousin last night and he is still looking for donations for Imani’s surgery. The insurance company confirmed that $1500.00 or possibly more, will be their out-of-pocket expense. The money already donated will go to that but they still need money for co-pays, travel, hotel, and food expenses. Any donations are still welcome as they try to raise enough funds to cover the cost of the trip or any unforeseeable circumstances. Please consider donating at least $5.00 to Imani’s donation fund on @You_Caring. We thank all of those who have already donated and shared this information with their communities. 

UPDATE 02-09-2013 : We have great news! We just checked the donations page and saw that the goal was met and even surpassed! People are still donating to Imani and her family! Please continue to share this news.

As I said in one comment from another family going through the same Erb’s Palsy Fight, “It takes a community to help. I am just doing a small part.” But we can continue to bring awareness because there are other families going through the same thing with their children and it also happens to adults. 

Thanks to @You_Caring for tracking our progress and communicating with us via Twitter and Facebook. 

 

We usually write about our own children at Papaheroes and the things we learn from them during our parenthood journey. From time to time other people’s children have taught us lessons in life and we have shared their stories on the blog. Children like Caine Monroy who built an arcade out of cardboard amazed us because of his talent and drive to create something fun out of scraps.  Jaden’s Mini-Orbiter search during Christmas had us elated when @BabyEinstein pulled through to deliver this discontinued toy for Christmas.

The Corbin Family

Imani Corbin holds a special place in my heart because she is family. My cousin Sebastian and his wife Maritza brought little Imani into this world in June of 2012. I had been in communication with my cousin via Facebook since 2010 and unfortunately one of the last times I saw my cousin was for his dad’s funeral.

Sebastian and Maritza were going to bless the family with another  little girl. Their lives were changed when Imani was diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy . Since her diagnosis, she has gone to therapy with her mom and dad and visited several doctor’s specializing in this field.

Boston Bound to Children’s Hospital

This past  Sunday while millions of families were glued to the Superbowl game, my cousins were driving from Connecticut to Boston, Massachusetts to see Peter M. Waters, MD, Chief of Clinical Orthopedics at Children’s Hospital Boston.

 

At the appointment, they were told that Imani would have to undergo surgery to help repair/replace her C5, C6 and some C7 nerves on March 29th. Here is a video to help you understand what Erb’s Palsy is from Dr. Waters. You can continue viewing more videos on the same channel on YouTube regarding Erb’s Palsy.

 

A little help goes a long way

Being told that your young baby has to have surgery can become stressful and emotional for a family. Sebastian, Maritza, and Imani have chosen to fight! I know that parents find strength from deep within their souls when the average person buckles under the slightest pressures of life. The drive my cousin and his wife have to make sure Imani is given the best care is something I admire. When I read about how they would have to go to Boston for the surgery, I thought that maybe as a community of friends and family, we could help them out.

 

My cousin has set up a donations page for travel, lodging, food, tolls, co-pays, and other expenses for this trip from Connecticut to Massachusetts. A little help goes a long way and if you would like to help them out, just go to this link  and donate the amount you can. Even if you can’t donate, join Imani’s Facebook page and follow her progress and journey. The family is also selling Erb’s Palsy Awareness bracelets for $20.00. Five of those dollars will go to Imani’s fund. Inquire about the bracelets with my cousins via Facebook.

I will definitely be updating you with Imani’s progress and hope that this surgery in March is successful. We know that the road to recovery is going to be long, but I know many friends and family members will be there for Imani and her parents.

If you know of successful surgeries and recoveries, please share them with us in the comments below or share them with Imani on her Facebook page.

Photo credit to My cousin Sebastian and wife Maritza.

Help Imani and her Parents

with the fight against Erb’s Palsy.