Support for Abriella - Eight-year-old gets help in her quest to overcome Blount’s disease

Relieved! That is how Roseanne Nembhard feels following the well-needed assistance from the school family at Stony Hill Primary and Junior High, which hosted a fundraiser for her eight-year-old daughter, Abriella Weasley, on Friday.

Weasley, a grade-two student at the institution, is faced with the harsh reality of her legs being amputated if she does not receive corrective bone surgery soon.

This newspaper reported on her struggles with Blount's disease in January. The eight-year-old was diagnosed with the condition when she was a few months old, and has since undergone two corrective surgeries.

Blount's disease is a condition found in children that affects the growth plates around the knee. The disease causes the growth plate near the inside of the knee to either slow down or stop making new bone. Abriella's condition has progressively worsened.

In January, THE STAR reported that a bone specialist provided an estimate of more than $300,000 to correct each leg. However, Nembhard said she later received an invoice that outlined costs of $2 million for each leg.

So far, Nembhard has amassed funds of $1.5 million, through hosting a barbecue and a cook-out earlier this year, as well as being a beneficiary of the Ministry of Labour and National Security 's compassionate grant programme. The funds raised from the schools' cake sale on Friday have not yet been included.

HAPPY FOR THE HELP

"I do feel relieved, although it's just money for one foot but I do feel happy for the help. I appreciate it, we almost there and I am really, really grateful."

Maureen Pinnock-Forbes, Abriella's teacher, described Weasley as outspoken, helpful, and one with a positive outlook, despite the situation.

"She is physically active, too. I was told that even out there [during physical education classes], she is quite the competitor, she doesn't let it deter her," the teacher shared.

Pinnock-Forbes, a 22-year veteran in the classroom, told THE STAR that it was prudent for the school to assist one of their own, given the time-sensitive nature of her condition. Along with teachers at the institution, she organised a cake sale, which was held last Friday. She said that it was successful.

"I can only imagine what her mother is going through and she doesn't have it financially to do what it is needed, so it was what we could do to help. We saw the story and when we looked at it, we saw that she needed help, and we couldn't wait until we were able to help, or until other people were helping then we followed behind," Pinnock-Forbes contended.

Kimarla Johnson-Fagon, guidance counsellor at the school, added that she, too, was moved by the story and is overwhelmed by the support garnered.

"The community is aware of the situation because the mother attended the Stony Hill Primary and Junior High, so some of the teachers here would have taught her. The teachers came on board, the community came on board, the parents and the business people came on board. ... It's tremendous the support [for the fundraiser]. I guess it's because of Abriella and the situation, so you know people when it comes on to children. I think people are more willing to give, especially when there is a medical condition that needs urgent attention," Johnson-Fagon explained.

Nembhard has opted to have the surgery done at a private facility, and while a date has not yet been fixed for surgery, she is hoping it will be done before the new school year starts in September.

"It's going to be done one leg at a time because the doctor said it may be uncomfortable for her, and it may be too much pressure to do two legs at once," Nembhard said.

Persons willing to contribute to Abriella Weasley's surgery may contact Roseanne Nembhard at 1 (876) 881-8442.