Written By Cervin Pillejera Bariso, Writer, Operation Blessing Philippines
At her age of 75, Rosalina Domingo already finds it hard to walk fast. But her love for her grandchild, Alexis, 10, is what drives her to still collect scrap to sell every day. With her maximum earning of 100 pesos each day, Rosalina cannot afford to bring Alexis to the doctor. Thus, when she heard that Operation Blessing Philippines was conducting a medical mission in their place, she did not let the opportunity pass.
Sadly, she and her sick grandchild did not make it early to the medical mission site because of her weak feet and body. While waiting for Operation Blessing’s team to arrive in the covered court of Southville Phase 1, Inocencio, Trece Martires, Cavite, Rosalina and Alexis sat on the court’s post footing.
“Gusto po naming magpacheck-up. Kaso hindi na po kasi kami nakakuha ng upuan sa pila. (We want to be checked by the doctors, but we did not make it earlier to get a seat in the queue),” Rosalina answered when asked why they were sitting on the corner.
Rosalina and Alexis waited patiently to get in the queue. Their hopes were not in vain, and both of them got checked by one of Operation Blessing’s volunteer doctors. Rosalina was eager to consult the doctor about Alexis who’s been experiencing epileptic seizures.
“Hinahaplos ko na lang siya kapag sinusumpong siya. (I just give him a gentle touch whenever he experiences seizures),” Rosalina disclosed.
When Alexis was still a baby, Rosalina opted to take care of him because his parents could not afford to support his needs along with his seven other siblings. When he was five years old, the child was rushed to the hospital because of high fever and started to have seizures. Since then, Alexis has not been able to undergo a computerized tomography (CT) scan as advised by the doctor because his grandmother could not afford it.
When Alexis was discharged from the hospital, he would often suffer seizures. Time passed, and he was not given immediate healthcare for his condition, and Alexis eventually found it hard to talk and walk. Rosalina said he’s even better now compared to in the previous years.
Rosalina was grateful that her grandchild was checked by Operation Blessing’s volunteer doctor and was given medicines. There’s nothing more she could ask for than to see Alexis have a brighter future. Rosalina perseveres everyday because she knows her grandchild needs her.
“Mahal na mahal ko siya at ayaw ko na siyang mawalay sa’kin. Ang dalangin ko na lang ngayon ay maipasok siya sa isang institusyon na pwede siyang makapag-aral. (I love him so much and I don’t want him to be separated from me. My only prayer now is to be able to enroll him in an institution where he could study),” hopeful Rosalina said.
Let us believe just like Rosalina that there’s still a brighter future for children like Alexis. Help us in praying for them. You can inspire change today and extend hope to our kababayans. Visit http://staging2.obphil.com/home, or call us at 477 7802 to 06 to find out how.
PHOTOS BY: Jo Ivan Llaneta, Volunteer Photographer
