Hello,

My name is Felo Martin Holguin Romero. I'm Peruvian and I'm six years old. Since birth, I have not had a normal life like other children. I suffer from a rare condition called Arnold Chiari Malformation, which means that the cerebellar tonsils in my brain are not the right shape and they put pressure on my brain stem, causing abnormal flow and build up of cerebrospinal fluid. I also suffer from syringomyelia and severe scoliosis, which have caused my feet to become atrophied, preventing me from being able to walk or run normally. These are terrible ailments for anyone but especially for me as a six-year-old, who is only just starting to discover the world and who has hopes and dreams.

Unfortunately my family has limited economic resources and my mother Alina was forced to seek help in Peru, without success. Towards the end of 2008, a charitable foundation in the US was able to assist me and I underwent a risky operation to drain the excess fluid in my brain. This operation allowed me to recover movement in my neck and helped to alleviate the unbearable headaches I suffered.

Thanks to God, the generosity of the foundation that brought me to the US, and to the doctors and surgeons who have looked after me, I have improved greatly, but I still have a long way to go. Due to my severe scoliosis, I suffer constant pain on my spine and I can't walk normally due to my atrophied legs and feet. My physical malformation has meant that I have been ostracized by teachers and other children and have had to be home schooled by my mother. I am also unable to talk normally as the malformation has affected my airways.

In spite of all these problems, I consider myself a normal child. I love soccer and I'm a big fan of the Sporting Cristal soccer club in my home city, Lima, Peru. I would love to be able to kick a soccer ball one day, but for now I can't because my condition has weakened my limbs and I don't have enough strength in my legs.

I want to face life's challenges, however my family's economic difficulties are an obstacle that I will only be able to overcome with your help and generosity. I would like to be a healthy boy so I can one day help others like you are helping me. When you see a child, playing and laughing, please think of me and how I have had to endure so much pain and anguish since I was born.

I ask you from the bottom of my heart to help me with whatever you can, so I may have the costly treatments I need. God will repay your kindness with his kindness and I promise I will grow up to help other people in the same way you have helped me.

God bless you.

Felo