Meet Maria. Maria is 9 years old. She is bright, kind-hearted, and full of laughter. She loves to play with her baby brother and older siblings, zipping around the playground, going down slides. However, Maria's running and walking days are limited. Maria was born with a rare, progressive disease called Morquio Syndrome, also known as MPS Type IV. Morquio Syndrome is a type of lysosomal storage disorder. It is progressive, degenerative, unforgiving, and without proper intervention, patients will eventually lose mobility and require regular use of a wheelchair.

Unless we do something.

In the midst of this uncertainty, a little ray of sunshine is striking upon Maria –– she has been blessed with an incredibly supportive family, and a skilled doctor in the U.S. who has committed his talent and expert care to Maria. Maria is eligible for orthopedic surgeries, which will significantly improve her mobility. However, we need a little miracle to get Maria from Pakistan to the U.S. for the surgery, and to raise the $25,000 needed to cover the necessary expenses, including hospital fees, and flights.

You can be an instrumental part in making this dream a reality and giving the gift to Maria of a happy childhood (and beyond), where she can maintain her mobility, and live a life with less pain and more independence.

We are asking for your help so that Maria and her family can afford this surgical procedure under the skilled care of an American medical team. Maria will require treatment for a total of 6 months, starting with imaging studies, gait analysis, and three surgeries on the hips, knees, and ankles. She has a long road ahead of her, including 2 months in a spica cast and 4 months of rehabilitation with physical therapy.

Maria is naturally full of joy, please help me preserve that joy. Every little bit helps, your donation will make an impact of a lifetime for Maria.

Want to join us in making a difference? We are raising money to benefit Maria Shahid's orthopedic surgery, and any donation will help make an impact.

Morquio syndrome patients have one shot, and it has to be done right the first time and without delay.

Maria is at the right time and cannot wait any longer, otherwise, she will miss this window of opportunity when her hips and joints still can be corrected and aligned while she is still growing and the damage be reversed to some length.

I want to share my personal testimony. My own son was blessed by the chance to have been taken under this doctor's care. Morquio had caused multiple bone deformation and luxation in my son's hips, femur, knees, and ankles, just like Maria's. He started to decline, not willing to play anymore because the pain was too much and his gait was very damaged by dislocated hips and joints.

We had to embark in the same journey, being a family from outside the US, we did our fundraising as well. It seemed like an impossible task, however with faith and a village of friends and support network, we made it.
The medical team performed the exact same 3 surgeries that Maria needs and align the hips, knees, and ankles.
The surgery changed his life because it was done at the right time, at the right place and by the right medical team. I only want the same for Maria and the path for recovery.

To end my story, I will just tell you, that my son is now 21 years old and is a college student who is still walking to this day. This surgery changed his life forever.

We want our Donors to be informed of the status of the fundraising at all times and the destination of the funds. We are also posting updates along the way which will notify you of all progress.

The team players in the campaign are:
*Shahid Ullah - Father of Maria Shahid
His Role is advocating for his daughter.

*Jeffrey Donohue - Friend of The Family, Head of care Beyond Diagnosis Organization
His role in "Maria walks for Life" campaign is Financial Officer, who will be withdrawing the funds and paying to the Hospital in the US. Jeffrey will be withdrawing the funds to his non-profit organization account in the US on behalf of Shahid and then Jeffery will be paying the Hospital directly through a wire transfer.

*Maryze- Friend of the Family
Her Role in " Maria walks for Life" campaign is coordinator, networking and Public Relations.

*Solange Degand - Friend of the Family
Her role is " Maria walks for Life" 's campaign organizer, posting updates, contacting donors, coordinating with Hospital, Go Fund Me support and legal team.

We are all Volunteers who donate our time and share the same vision of a better future for Maria fighting against Morquio.

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to Maria and her family.