Murrieta Mom Seeks Stem Cell Treatment for Cerebral Palsy Daughter

Next year on Mother's Day, this Murrieta mom hopes her daughter will be able to run into her arms.

"We are hoping with stem cell research she will be able to do the things we take for granted--that she will be able to hold her head up, grab little pieces of food, walk, talk and run to me," said Angel Ramirez, 30, about her daughter Diane, 9, who suffers from cerebral palsy, complicated by epilepsy and asthma.

Ramirez said Diane developed the disorders because of medical malpractice during her birth. Diane's arm was outside of her uterus when she was born, which she said could have been prevented by giving her an emergency C-section. Ramirez was more than two weeks overdue when she went into labor.

The family sued the emergency room doctor, and received a $1-million settlement. After paying hefty attorney fees, the rest of the money was put in a trust for Diane.

The family has learned to live with Diane's condition. Diane has to have at least one breathing treatment per day from a nebulizer. She also suffers from seizures. Every day is a team effort for Ramirez's husband Albert, 32, and son, Joseph, 12.

Joseph often plays tea set with his little sister, and admits they have their own way of communicating.

"For a long time I wasn't a believer in 'everything happens for a reason.' Now I feel like I was made for my kids and that is the best gift any mother could ask for," Ramirez said. "I just look at their smiles and they get me through each day."

A Day in Diane's Shoes

Diane was in and out of Rady Children's Hopsital in San Diego for a total of eight months last year. She can't eat regular food. Instead, she is fed through a tube inserted in her stomach area. Last year, she wasn't keeping any food in her system. At 9 years old, she weighs 30 pounds.

When she is feeling healthy enough, Diane attends third grade at Antelope Hills Elementary School. She is also a Girl Scout.

"She is very popular," said Erin Furlong, Diane's instructional aide at school who is by her side much of the day.

"My hope for Diane is that she can gain some kind of movement with her hands so she can use some type of speaking device, because she is a smart girl. She knows her division and she knows how to read."

Furlong agrees with Diane's family when she says she communicates with her eyes.

Diane likes what most typical 9-year-olds like. She has a crush on Justin Bieber and has made a new best friend who also has cerebral palsy. The two have found a way to communicate with each other over Skype, where the topic usually leads to Justin Bieber.

In Search of a Cure

The Ramirez's, originally from San Diego, moved to Arizona a few years ago. That is when Ramirez said she started looking into stem cell treatment. They've selected a treatment center in China that will give Diane direct surgical implantation through a lumbar puncture. It requires her to stay in China for about 35 days. Only her mother would travel with her.

Although it is not a cure for cerebral palsy, it can help relieve symptoms and push development forward. Ramirez's hope was that the trust could help pay the $32,000 bill, but she was told that was not possible.

Until she confided in Furlong one day, and that was all it took.

"I have three children of my own, and I can only imagine what they are feeling. It really just began to haunt me when I went home at night, how can we get her this money?" Furlong said.

So on May 21, the Storm Stadium in Lake Elsinore is hosting "Do It For Diane." Beginning at 3 p.m., there will be a fun walk/run. The event includes vendors, children's crafts, food and jumpers for the kids.

For $30, participants get a T-shirt, access to the activities and a ticket to the Storm game, which begins at 7:05 p.m. Children cost $15. Those interested in registering can go to www.love-for-diane.com. Proceeds will go toward Diane's stem cell treatment.

"That is our mission in life right now," Ramirez said.

She would also like to start a foundation for others who suffer from cerebral palsy.

"We want to help that person in the dark and turn the light on for them."