This is what ASLA calls the children it supports — butterflies, because each one of them is in transformation, full of strength, colour and the capacity to surprise the world. Meet them.
Listed by date of birth — from youngest to oldest
Leonor suffered severe birth complications resulting in hypoxic-ischaemic neonatal anoxia, causing severe developmental impairment. She has 100% disability with difficulties in swallowing, breathing and compromised motor function.
She requires daily therapies, with monthly costs of around €2,000. It is for Leonor's smile that ASLA exists.
Dinis suffered hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy resulting in cerebral palsy with 84% disability. He uses a wheelchair and receives various daily therapies at very high cost to his family.
He requires an adult to assist with daily life tasks. His family believes that with more therapies he could improve cognitively.
Afonso faces a global delay in psychomotor development, particularly in expressive language. He takes risperidone for hyperactivity and attention deficit.
He is in Year 1 of primary education under special needs provisions (Decree-Law no. 54/2018). He receives speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, special education support and swimming.
Since the age of 3 months she has been undergoing genetic tests and studies. She lives with microcephaly, epilepsy, strabismus and a severe developmental delay with 88% disability. She receives daily physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and hydrotherapy.
She cannot yet walk or speak, but is gradually developing her cognitive abilities.
"Despite all of this, this daily fight, my parents do not allow me to lack anything. There is always hope in finding experimental treatments. Giving up will not be our path."
Melissa has congenital Microcephaly and Trigonocephaly, which affect her motor and cognitive development, along with cerebral palsy.
She receives physiotherapy three times a week in Vila Praia de Âncora, and in Braga every three months she undergoes an intensive six-week treatment programme.
Afonso was diagnosed with non-verbal autism spectrum disorder at the age of two. He has always attended therapies and has made various cognitive and sensory progress.
He attends primary school under a special regime with additional educational support measures.
Therapies, equipment, transport — it all costs. With your support, ASLA can reach further for each of these children.