Catch-22 Ysadore's Right to Life

Ysadore is a 4 year old little boy who laughs and gives kisses between open heart surgery, complex medical interventions secondary to Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (a very rare condition on which very little is known in the medical profession), nissan fundoplication, gastric tubes and life threatening Grand Mal seizures.  His mother, father and his caregiver, "Ya-ya" provide 24 hour care for this wonderful life; for their only  child.

His mother is originally from South Africa and father from France, and now as green card holders, they can no longer employ anyone under B1status. Now  "Ya-ya" , Mrs. Estelita Almoite, Ysadore's caregiver, originally from the Philippines, is scheduled to leave the country on March 31, 2011 when her visa expires. Why?  Because there is no visa category for which she can apply.

Their lawyers have attempted to find a visa classification with US Immigration to keep Estelita here for the past three years but have not been able to yet. Simply because of this "glitch," Ysadore's chances of survival and quality of life is in serious jeopardy.

Estelita has had extensive, indispensable and complex training on how to take care of Ysadore from IAHP, ABR, ABM and MNRI. There are no therapists who are trained in these methods; these specific techniques are taught to caregivers for a particular child. Estelita has been trained specifically for Ysadore's case and condition and this is what makes her indispensable and irreplaceable. Taking Estelita away from Ysadore will directly impact Ysadore's life.

Ysadore's condition is extremely rare and there are only a few who have survived. None as severe and as young as Ysadore have survived Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy. This is testament to his amazing strength and the dedication of his parents and his caregiver, Estelita.  She has been with Ysadore since birth and knows exactly what to do to reduce his chance of seizures and how to respond when they occur. Furthermore, the daily care, management and therapy of Ysadore is highly specific and any lapse in this care puts Ysadore's life at risk.

Alexis, Ysadore's papa, is their only source of income,  has to travel extensively. They have no family here and have only a few friends here because every moment is about keeping Ysadore safe.  They are spending more money than they can afford due to the exorbitant financial costs of Ysadore's critical care needs. In addition, they have the onus of the  legal costs of fighting for Ya-ya.  But, they will carry their burdens; they are only asking that a Congressman or Senator assist in finding a way to keep Ya-ya with Ysadore.

One way in which this could be arranged is for a Senator or Congressman to support a  private bill that would allow some category stipulation. They have pleaded with various governmental divisions but each government department has explained they simply don't have the authority to make such a decision.

So here we are, pleading with you to sign this petition so that those who do have the power and the authority, will see those who care enough to fight for Ysadore by keeping Ya-ya here.

Alessandra has barely slept in 4 years. Alexis has dedicated every moment he is not working to support his family. Ya-ya has not left this country to see her own family and stayed by Ysadore's side fighting alongside his parents. For her, Ysadore is also her child. 

Ysadore fights to live every day of his life. Won't you please take the 60 seconds to fight along side of him? Please sign the petition and ask friends and family to support Ysadore. Please.