Finding (help for) Dory

"Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation.”

A background - we are four in the family, my Papa, Mama, my older sister, and me. My Papa died in 2003 and after almost 2 years, my sister also passed away, both from cancer. Since then, I live with my mom, who's now 77 years old, and my aunt, whom we fondly call "Ate Dory" (Ate is a Filipino term used to call an older girl sibling, an older lady or woman, it is also a term of endearment, a sign of respect) is 71 years old (who doesn't have a family of her own, who raised me and my sister as her own daughters). She doesn't receive any pensions, she is considered as an indigent, and even the Social Amelioration Package from the government was not yet given to her up to this time. She doesn't have health insurance or health care cards since the money she got from her monthly salary was used to pay for her other niece's tuition fees.

Almost two years ago, as Ate Dory was going home from church, she had an infarct (stroke), which affected the left part of her body. Family, friends, and I were able to help with the hospital bills, her miscellaneous expenses like diapers and special formulated milk (since she had been tube fed), and bills for her fare going to and from her twice a week therapies (physical and occupational).

She survived that ordeal, but this August 2020, she had a post stroke seizure, and now, we're back to square one, except, she's not being tube fed anymore. Her seizure happened when I was in the Covid quarantine facility, I am working in a government hospital, and unfortunately, I got co-infection of the Covid and Dengue virus at the same time. I felt guilty that I was sick and I couldn't able to attend to Ate Dory's needs at that time when she was rushed to a local government hospital, transferred to the ER of another national government hospital. She waited for almost a week outside the hospital's ER for her Covid negative result, then transferred again to the ICU. Since we don't have the means to get her in a private hospital, it had been a long journey for her, and I really felt bad that she had to wait and endure the heat of the day outside the hospital just to be admitted. I am just grateful that a couple of my cousins were able to take turns taking care of her (also financially) while I'm sick.

Right now, she's still bed ridden, we are hoping to send her to the province once there will be available flights going to the Visayas Region. It pains me to arrive in this kind of decision, she's a mother to me, but I think it's for the best. Back in the province, she will be in the company of her siblings. It's more peaceful, she will have the space she needs for her daily exercises, there will be fresh air, and fresh food to nourish her too.

Recently, my mom also had her second stroke, and this time it was accompanied by vertigo. I have two (2) senior citizens under my wing who are both very vulnerable to other illnesses.

I couldn't handle both of these situations all at once, since it's just been a month since I got out of the quarantine facility, and I could still feel some of the symptoms (maybe I belong to what they call, Covid Long Haulers), also I am hypertensive and I am having anxiety attacks since I have been diagnosed with Acute Anxiety Disorder. I am coming close to being drained physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. I know I shouldn't just be exhausted from all of these, it's vital for me to keep a straight face while dealing with the both of them. We are not rich, and I am just working in a government office with a salary not more than Php 25,000.00

I know words are not enough to describe how thankful my family is to Ate Dory. She's been with us for almost fifty (50) years, through thick and thin, she supported us all the way, and now is the time for me to give back to her, though I am fully aware that I don't have the financial capacity to assist her entirely, hence, this campaign was created to seek assistance from people who are willing to extend their helping hands to purchase Ate Dory's medicines, therapies, medical equipment to aid her mobility, daily expenses (e.g. diapers, meal replacement milk), and the rest of the fund would be for her to easily start a new life in the province.

I may not be a biological daughter to you, but I appreciate all your sacrifices and for looking after Ate Jing and me whenever Mama and Papa were not around, to my first teacher, Ate Dory, thank you very much.

For those who are willing to extend their help but does not have a PayPal account, you could donate through this bank account details:

Banco De Oro (BDO) Savings Account Number: 000170141365

BPI Savings Account Number: 8169099562

I am sincerely knocking on people's hearts for the provision of aid to my Ate Dory's predicament. I would be extremely grateful to people who would extend their help for the medical / financial assistance of Ate Dory. May God bless all of you and your families! Thank you very much!