This is one super mama! Meet Marcelle Abela, a mother of three who’s raising awareness about rare diseases, especially Cerebral Palsy, through her Facebook page Sunshine for Gabriel.

Marcelle’s story

Marcelle’s youngest, seven-year-old Gabriel, has a very challenging lifestyle after being born with Cerebral Palsy. The physical disability requires a lifetime of specialised therapeutic care including early intervention, speech, occupational, strength and hydrotherapy. Gabriel requires constant care and a lot of perseverance to develop.

Sunshine for Gabriel

Speaking to Marcelle, she told me what life is like living with a family member with CP, and why she decided to start a page to raise awareness. “I felt there wasn’t enough information, so I thought of getting in touch with other parents both in Malta and abroad.” She explains that it’s an extra boost of courage knowing they’re not alone.

“Sunshine for Gabriel is all about educating empathy and not sympathy,” she says. “We want to educate the ability to understand people with such physical disabilities, as well as other conditions and rare diseases.”

A helping hand and a supportive system

Marcelle says that not only does she reach out to other people, but families in similar situations also reach out to them. “Many families get to actually meet up at hospital appointments and in waiting rooms. We relate to each other’s complications, share notes and combine ideas, which gives a good amount of support.”

Challenges that need to be heard

While raising awareness is one of the primary purposes of Sunshine for Gabriel, Marcelle does hope to see things change in our society for the better in this regard. “I feel that requirements and adjustments need to be made to help parents of these children. It will be comforting to know that CP patients and others have a safe haven where children’s lifestyles will be adhered to in a dignified manner, challenges and all.”

Diseases such as CP are a task to handle and Marcelle explains that the financial burden is a big issue. “In many cases, parents to Cerebral Palsy and Spina Bifida kids have never-ending lists of hospital and therapy appointments, and even special equipment that are quite a burden to adjust to. And some people may not be financially stable to get all these treatments.”

“What we aspire to is a Direct Care Unit that caters for people struck with physical disabilities, neurological disorders and others, for which many have no cure. There is still so much to do, but this could be a start,” Marcelle explains.

“We hope to see this dream being built and to be given a stronger platform as physical disabilities require a tonne of perseverance from parents and families, which takes a financial toll in the long run. Everyone deserves a good shot at life, and our kids deserve just the same.”

We couldn't agree more!