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New steps for Rosa
Though 11-year-old Rosa has always dreamed of going to school, that opportunity has never been a reality for her.
Not only could her parents not afford it, but Rosa has a severely clubbed foot that is turned almost backwards. Knowing how cruel other children can be, her father and mother, Carlos and Juana, chose to keep her at home away from the teasing and taunting.
Michael and Chrisi Shead and their young son, Hudson, are missionaries to Guatemala.
They met Rosa through her father who had come to do some repair work on their apartment. After hearing about Rosa's foot, they visited the family to see what could be done for her situation.
Chrisi, a registered nurse, knew that this could have been corrected when she was a baby. While Rosa's parents had gone to a medical clinic when Rosa was a baby, they did not have the money for surgery so they continued with the only other option ... do nothing.
Now, not only does the disability keep Rosa from running and jumping normally; it also causes her pain as the twisted foot and leg grow.
About a year ago, Rosa's father asked Jesus Christ to be Lord in his life. Up until that point in time, he had been an alcoholic and his family suffered from it through physical abuse, lack of basic necessities and the shame that comes from a drunken husband and father.
Since his conversion, the family life at home is much better, and he and his wife can take care of the needs of their seven children with hope and a future, but there are challenges.
Michael and Chrisi knew they needed to do something for Rosa. They let their family in the States know of the need for Rosa's corrective surgery.
Michael's mother, a teacher at Fort Scott Christian Heights, told her students about Rosa. Her students decided to gather money to help the girl who is the same age as they are. Even though there were only a few days left of school, the students gathered $520.
After school was out, three students -- Leslie Dobbs, Christian and Caitlynn Tate -- decided to set up a lemonade stand at a bank in Fort Scott to help the cause. Their efforts brought $208.48 bringing the total to $728.48.
Meanwhile, in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, the ASELSI's Father's Heart Clinic, where Michael and Chrisi work, was able to schedule an appointment in Guatemala City. X-rays were taken and doctors are consulting as to what might be done for Rosa.
Also, a foot doctor from Miami, Okla., expressed interest in helping her after a friend told him about the KOAM-TV news report that was aired about the student's lemonade stand raising money to help Rosa.
Doctors feel that Rosa's foot can be corrected to about 60 percent of normal. The money collected will help cover the surgery, shoes and other related items.
It will also help their new friend buy school supplies and go to school. It looks like Rosa's dreams will come true -- to have a more normal foot and to be able to go to school someday.
Submitted to the Tribune by Mary V. Shead.