FORMER?PRESIDENT of the Syrian Lebanese Women Association, Carol Joseph, yesterday presented nine-year-old Rasonte Parsons, who lost both her arms and legs after suffering with sickle cell anaemia, with a cheque for $5 500.
Joseph, the last president of the association,said she was touched after reading about Rasonte’s plight in this newspaper and decided to give her the money to assist with her medical expenses.
She explained that the association, which was in existence for over 30 years, came to an end in 2008, because a number of its members had either died or were getting on in age.
However, she said funds were left behind to distribute to three worthy causes.“I was very moved when I read about Rasonte and immediately I wanted to help. I?contacted a few of the former members and I was very happy because it is causes like this that we wanted to give the money to,” she stated.
Rasonte’s mother, Sophia Parsons said she was grateful for the funds, pointing out that Rasonte was scheduled to have new prosthesis fitted in July.
Rasonte became an amputee when she was only two years old, but her mother described her as very independent despite her disability. (MB)
