Family of disabled girl appeals for aid

Marylene Debono from Zejtun would appear to be a normal 17-year-old, at least mentally. She seems to have grown and developed as other girls do and attends a normal school, keeping up with her classmates. But there is one major disabling difference - her lack of mobility.

Marylene has been paralysed since birth when, on examination, her hips were found to be bilaterally dislocated. The doctor, under whose care she has been since, explained that in the post-natal phase, every conservative treatment failed to realign her hips. This was later found to be due to a neuromuscular condition, which has similar symptoms to muscular dystrophy, in her case causing weakness, particularly around the hips.

Marylene was sent to Hammersmith Hospital in the UK for further assessment and has since attended the hospital almost twice a year to be assessed on her neuromuscular condition. She has to attend the hospital again in June.

Over the past four years, it has been noted that she is not getting weaker, but her functional abilities seem to be improving.

Marylene undergoes regular physiotherapy and hydrotherapy - at great expense to the family. Unfortunately, due to her frequent sitting and the use of callipers to walk about, four years ago she started to develop scoliosis which is being regularly monitored. This condition is currently stable, but Marylene has to wear a spinal brace to support her back and prevent its further deterioration.

Marylene's family has had to carry the financial burden of her condition, always hoping it would improve. But, to add insult to injury, two years ago her father developed severe chest pain and is frequently admitted to St Luke's Hospital. The pain has rendered him unfit to carry out strenuous work and, being illiterate, his work opportunities are now even more limited.

Last year, writing on behalf of the Debono family, whom he has known for several years, Fr George Spiteri appealed for donations to help them cope with their huge medical expenses, which, despite government assistance, the family cannot seem to cope with, particularly where travel is concerned.

This year, Marylene's family, still in a dilemma and requiring help, is once again appealing for donations.

They can be made to HSBC account number 564268828, or sent to her mother, Angele Debono, at 15, Triq Lorenzo Gafa, Zejtun.