Rasta cannot walk, but in her own words she could "fly anywhere she likes with her imaginary wings". She is a happy and smart girl, nurtured by her parents love and resilience.

Rasta was born on a cold snowy winter day in January 2015. Like a snow crystal, she brought joy and life to her small family. Everything was normal and routine until she turned one. At that milestone, her parents noticed she was not developing proper motor skills. Rasta could not move her tiny legs at all, but her ambition to move forward and to experience new adventures was exemplary. They asked for professional advice, and a pediatric neurologist diagnosed Rastas SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy)-Type 2 through genetic and muscular examinations.

Muscle weakness is very common in this type of disease and affects the infants ability to stand or walk. Children with muscle weakness typically have respiratory and nutritional difficulties as they grow up, additional support becomes essential in their lives, and sadly the complications might end their lives as they advance through puberty and teenage hood.

This is not what we want for Rasta. We want her to walk, play, and grow up with equal life chances. Treatments are making a difference in SMA, but time is critical before the disease develops.

We need your participation; any help is valuable.

Day to day, Rasta performs occupational therapy, learns English, loves painting, goes to the swimming pool with her mother, and climbs the mountains over her fathers shoulders. She is a happy and mature girl for her age, and understands that people have different capabilities, but if you ask her for one wish, she wants to stand on her own two feet and enjoy her life independently.

According to Rastas pediatrician, she needs Evrysdi (Risdiplam) to improve her condition and to prevent the neuromuscular failure in her body. She needs 4.75 mg of the medication per day, which means 27 bottles (60 mg each) per year. The least expensive medication for Rasta would cost $18,000 per month.

Any contribution, large or small can make a huge difference to Rasta's situation, so please donate, and share with friends and family to help make this child's wish come true! Thank you!