Translate page with Google

Story December 28, 2010

Starving and Immobile: They Crawl

Country:

Author:
SECTIONS

At six years old, Jessica weighs just sixteen pounds. She lives--barely--on a diet of tortillas and coffee. It's all her family can afford.

Her mom is a widow with six children. Cerebral palsy threatens Jessica's mobility, but malnutrition threatens her life. One man wants to fix both problems. Eleven years ago Dick Rutgers went to Guatemala on a wheelchair distribution and never left. But this day just one person has his full attention. Rutgers said he's watched 10 kids die in his arms this year alone. He couldn't get them to help in time. For this one hurting kid, Rutgers could make a difference.

RELATED CONTENT

Support our work

Your support ensures great journalism and education on underreported and systemic global issues