“Malena's Foundation seeks to empower families with children facing physical and/or visual impairment as a result of brain tumors and/or brain injury and, guide them in assessing, locating and securing educational, rehabilitative and enrichment services”.

malena's story.
Malena was diagnosed with a low-grade brain tumor {Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma} at the age of two. Further complicating her prognosis, the prescence of the tumor resulted in a stroke and permanent vision loss. Initially, she could not speak, sit or see. However, her spirit and unwavering determination allowed her to quickly adapt to her challenging physical circumstances. Despite an ongoing chemotherapy regimen, she maintained a rigorous daily schedule and, with a team of highly qualified therapists, she gradually regained her strength. Within a year, she was able to walk with assistance. By the time Malena was three and a half she was learning Braille, taking swimming lessons, piano classes, horseback riding and attending a mainstream preschool. Her accomplishments were nothing short of a miracle and her effusive "Joie de Vivre", addicting. Although the course of Malena's life was ultimately determined by the unsuitable presence of a brain tumor, she was successful in defeating the physical disabilites that resulted from it, and in doing so, was able to achieve a remarkable quality of life.

As a family, we were fortunate to have the resources to obtain the critical rehabilitative services Malena needed. However, we struggled to find experienced pediatric therapists and were met with countless obstacles in our attempts to provide her with a normal education. As a mother, I felt frustrated by the lack of organized support services. I knew my time was better spent caring for my daughter and not, hunting down services and fighting with bureaucrats. Throughout this journey, I realized the tremendous need for an organized educational resource that would help guide families through the maze of educational, rehabilitation, enrichment and, advocacy services. Malena's courage and love has inspired me to make this a reality.

With the creation of Malena's Foundation, our mission is to empower families with children facing physical and/or visual impairment as a result of brain tumor and/or brain injury and, guide them in assesing, locating and securing educational, rehabilitative and enrichment services. Just as Malena demonstrated so courageously, no child should be defined or limited by their physical disabilities. Every family should have access to the resources that will empower their children to 'Discover the Possabilities' available to them.

 

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Malena's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.