The mercy medical angels logo is blue and white

Child with Cerebral Palsy Finds Life-Changing Care

January 4, 2025
Child with cerebral palsy receiving care, thanks to charitable flights

A Difficult Beginning

Ailah was born in 2020. Before she was born, there was a complication with the pregnancy - a fetal maternal hemorrhage. In other words, about two-thirds of Ailah's blood leaked out into her mother. When she was born, she wasn't breathing or moving. She did, however, have a pulse. The medical team rushed Ailah to the NICU, and managed to save her life after two months.


Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy

But the struggles weren't over yet. As the years continued, Ailah couldn't sit up on her own, walk, or use her arms. Feeding herself wasn't happening either. Her mother took her to multiple medical appointments. When all was said and done, Ailah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The experts said she would need intensive therapy to gain motor skills and learn how to communicate.


From Stumbling...

Ailah's mother jumped into research. The specialists that could help Ailah the best were in Orlando, Florida. There was just one problem: travel. Flying a distance of 1,035 miles would be too expensive, and driving was out of the question. But if Ailah couldn't make it to the specialists, her quality of life would deteriorate further. Her mother felt like she was stumbling on a difficult path, with no idea how to continue.



...To Soaring

That was when Ailah's mother found out about Mercy Medical Angels. Through a partnership with The Hogan Family Foundation, Mercy Medical Angels arranged and paid for a round-trip flight. Now, Ailah could receive the care she needed. She had gone from stumbling to soaring. After two weeks of various intensive therapies, Ailah and her mother went back home.


"We Keep Fighting"

When asked about how Mercy Medical Angels helped Ailah, her mother answers with gratefulness and hope. "The staff at Mercy Medical Angels were amazing and understanding about our needs. We loved working with them." She continues on, saying: "Ever since Ailah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it's been a struggle. But we keep fighting." Thanks to Mercy Medical Angels and The Hogan Family Foundation, Ailah and her mother don't have to keep fighting alone.

Share this story with others.

Share your thoughts about this story.

Read More Patient Stories

By Stephanie Singer March 31, 2025
A memorial tribute to John Billings, by Stephanie Singer.
By Stephanie Singer March 28, 2025
She survived breast cancer, but the treatments affected her health and quality of life. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels and the Hogan Family Foundation helped her.
Brain surgery patient after receiving charitable flights to medical care
By Stephanie Singer March 27, 2025
Read how a brain surgery patient accessed a needed neurology follow-up, thanks to charitable flights from Mercy Medical Angels... in her own words.
Nevin Showman (left) and Capt. John Billings (right) in front of their plane, 49Bravo.
By Stephanie Singer March 7, 2025
Read a heartfelt letter from Nevin Showman, one of our volunteer pilots, about how he's continuing Capt. John Billings' legacy.
By Stephanie Singer February 27, 2025
InsightsCare.com recently published an interview with our President and CEO about Mercy Medical Angels.
Woman with rare stomach cancer after receiving care at MD Anderson and University of Miami
By Stephanie Singer February 19, 2025
She was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer that only a few doctors in the country could effectively treat. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels helped her access the care she needed.
Man with two cancers after receiving treatment at MD Anderson in Houston thanks to volunteer pilots
By Stephanie Singer February 17, 2025
Read the story of a man suffering from cancer, who received distant care thanks to volunteer pilots... in his own words.
Woman with cancer who received treatment at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida thanks to gas cards
By Stephanie Singer February 15, 2025
Her best shot at beating cancer was at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. But she couldn't afford the cost of driving there... until Mercy Medical Angels stepped in.
Cancer patient after receiving treatment at Cleveland Clinic, thanks to gas cards
By Stephanie Singer February 13, 2025
Read the story of a cancer patient who's winning her battles with help from charitable ground transportation... in her own words.
Man with multiple myeloma after receiving care, thanks to gas cards
By Stephanie Singer February 11, 2025
He was battling multiple myeloma, but couldn't afford the long drives to access treatment. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels helped him.
More Posts
Share by: