Ailing family recovering, thanks to viewers

On August fourteenth we ran a touching story on the struggle of an ailing Belize City mother and her dedicated eleven year old son. Since that time, thanks to a generous public, the family’s prognosis has improved. Here’s an update.

Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Fifty-one year old Soccoro Castillo still struggles with Multiple Sclerosis but at least she is now in more familiar and comfortable surroundings. Today the family is staying with relatives who have opened their doors to them.

Socorro Castillo, M.S. Patient
?It makes me feel more secured because if anything they can take care of me and my son is in good hands. We have food, thank God we have room, bed and everything and most of all we have the blessings of God everyday.?

I sat down with Castillo in her new home at number 125 Pitts Alley. Since we aired her story a one month ago the support from viewers has been encouraging and the assistance has helped her and her son live a more normal life.

Socorro Castillo
?We got help from the Atlantic Bank they sent some money for his books and uniform. So I have to be thankful to the young ladies who went to my home and got the money for me. He is doing well. Some ladies they come and look for me in a car and take me to church and bring me back home.?

?I have to be thankful to God and the people who helped me. I just pray to God that they are going to get blessed from God who were so kind to me. Even people from Stann Creek came to support me in some kind of way. We got help from Stann Creek, Cayo and even Belmopan.?

In our last interview young Daniel told us how the disease had also affected his school work and he did not make it to Standard Six. Today we are happy to report that St. Joseph Primary School after careful consideration promoted him.

Socorro Castillo
?I got the help from two ladies. They went to speak to the principal, and right now he is on probation. So he has to work hard. Because his principal told him that he can do it because he is a very smart boy. He has to stop playing in class, but right now he is doing well.?

Castillo says she is also waiting a visit from a medical specialist who contacted the family and expressed an interest in treating her case.

Socorro Castillo
?My battle against the heat is very hard right now. I cannot win that.?

Castillo says she does not know how much longer she will be able to continue to walk with the assistance of a cane but she tries to remain strong for her only child.

Socorro Castillo
?Most of all worries are stressing me, worries are killing me. Because some days I feel so weak I can?t even do anything to help my son. My son just sits down and cries and he tells me, mommy just continue you have to live. I tell my son I try to live baby but I just can?t fight against this.?

If you want to check up on the family’s progress, Socorro Castillo can be contacted at phone number 621-5874.