Our daughter, Mariah, is a 32-month-old beautiful and charismatic little girl with Cerebral Palsy.  Mariah was born prematurely at 25 weeks weighing only 1lb and 11ozs.  Mariah was born April 12th, 2007 and was discharged from the NICU on July 7th, 2007.  We fostered Mariah from the age of four months, about a month after she was discharged from the hospital with the intention of adopting her.  After a long battle we finally adopted her when she was 18 months old.  
 
Mariah’s Cerebral Palsy has affected her Fine and Gross Motor Skills.  Mariah is still not able to crawl, pull herself up, stand alone, or walk.  Mariah does attend PT, OT, and ST three times a week and her sessions are half an hour long as that is what is covered by insurance.  
 
Mariah is a normal little girl that wants to play with other children of her age, but finds it to be a struggle.  Mariah\'s doctors and therapists believe that Mariah would really benefit from an intensive therapy program (which the insurance will not cover).  The cost of the Intensive Therapy Program is about $10,000.00 a month.  Based on her evaluation she would need a minimum of three months.  My husband and I have done, and will do, anything we can to help her, as she is our only child and our LIFE.  We are dedicated to her and focus all of our attention on her.  Unfortunately, it has been hard for us financially.  We have had a rough 2 1/2 years not only with Mariah\'s health, but with mine, Miriam (mom), as well.  I have not been able to work for 2 1/2 years due to my health.  I am a Juvenile Diabetic that was suffering from End Stage Renal Failure.  I just received a triple transplant (2 kidneys and 1 pancreas) in March 2009.  Between my frequent doctor\'s visits and Mariah\'s therapies and doctor\'s visits I have been unable to work.  My husband is a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper and as you can imagine it is not easy to live off of one police officer\'s salary and tons of medical bills.  
 
We would appreciate any donations, no amount is too little.  All donations are tax deductible and will be solely used for Mariah’s therapies.  Please mail your donations to Bright Steps Forward 4001 North Ocean Drive Suite 305 Lauderdale by the Sea, FL  33308.  Please make sure to write Mariah Diaz on the memo line of your check.  You can also donate online by logging on to www.brightstepsforward.org and go to sponsor a child and directly donate to Mariah Diaz’s care.


We thank you for any and all of your support,

The Diaz Family