TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Brandon Man Sets Up Fund For Prosthetics

ADVERTISEMENT

By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 1, 2009

BRANDON - Chuck Mulhern had been traveling to developing countries on medical missions for 14 years, where he'd seen more than his share of misery.

But the 4-year-old girl in the orthopedic ward of the Hospital del Nino in Lima, Peru, left a lasting impression.

"There was just something about her," said the 73-year-old Brandon resident, recalling that moment two years ago. "She had this big smile and such a positive attitude, despite what had happened to her."

Luz Estephanie Macchiavello, living in a small jungle village in Juanjui, Peru, wandered outside and was run over by a motorcycle taxi. The accident severed her right arm.

Eliana Morla, a liaison for the children's hospital, said Luz's father, Hilmer, traveled with her for hours by boat and then bus to reach the hospital in Lima 300 miles away. There, doctors saved her life but had to amputate Luz' arm above the elbow.

Mulhern took photos of the child so he wouldn't forget her. In one photo, Luz gave him a "thumbs-up" sign with her remaining hand. That determined gesture convinced Mulhern to take action.

Mulhern and Morla began making calls, and Shriners Hospitals for Children in Tampa agreed to take Luz as a patient.

Luz arrived in Tampa June 26, 2007, to be fitted with a prosthetic arm and undergo therapy.

"The prosthetic totally changed her life," Mulhern said. "She can even play cards with it."

When Luz left, Mulhern knew he'd see her again. She will return each year for the next 13 years to be refitted for a new prosthetic arm as her bones grow.

A few weeks before Luz was scheduled to arrive a second time, in December 2008, Mulhern learned she'd be accompanied by 9-year-old Veronica Condori Morocco.

Veronica contracted a deadly bacterial infection in September 2007, and doctors were forced to amputate both legs and part of one arm.

In January and February, Veronica was fitted with prosthetic legs. They will be replaced with longer versions next year when her muscles have grown stronger.

Following that experience, Mulhern and Morla established the Luz Foundation to bring more children from South America needing prosthetics to Shriners. Mulhern is now registering the foundation as a nonprofit organization.

"If I can get enough people in the community involved, I'd like to bring a child here each month," Mulhern said.

He is seeking volunteers willing to host families, transport them to the hospital, donate airline miles and offer groceries and tickets to entertainment venues.

Donations can be made to the Luz Estephanie Medical Expense Fund through Royal Bank Centura, 821 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, 33511, account No. 716-000-881-2, IRS federal ID No. 32-0256081.
For information, contact Mulhern at (813) 215-0071.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT