FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) \u2014 A Southwest Florida mother is asking for help as her daughter with special needs continues to grow, making daily care increasingly difficult.<\/p>\n
Monica Watts has been caring for her daughter Isabella since birth. Three days after Isabella was born, she was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare condition that can cause seizures, vision problems and developmental delays.<\/p>\n
“Started seeing neurology, endocrinology, obviously a pediatrician, pretty much every doctor under the sun,” Watts said.<\/p>\n
Early on, doctors had to remove one of Isabella’s eyes after she contracted an infection. Isabella depends entirely on her mother for everything from bathing and clothing to hair brushing, teeth brushing and nail clipping.<\/p>\n
As Isabella has grown bigger and heavier, the physical demands on Watts have increased dramatically. Every trip outside the home requires multiple rounds of lifting Isabella in and out of her wheelchair and car.<\/p>\n
“Ready for the big bump,” Watts said as she wheeled Isabella to the car. “Come on, we’re gonna go in the car. Come on, let’s go.”<\/p>\n
When asked who helps lift Isabella into the car if she can’t do it, Watts said no one. That day is getting close.<\/p>\n
“Very close. I’ve been pushing myself for probably about a year now,” Watts said.<\/p>\n
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Brandon Baker, who lives across the street, noticed the struggle. He reached out to his mother, who contacted WINK Listens to get help for the family.<\/p>\n
“It’s a struggle, and she needs some help,” Baker said.<\/p>\n
“I went to the one person that I know that can make things happen which is my mom, and then she went to Wink Listens and met you, and now here we are,” he said.<\/p>\n
A mobility van would cut down on much of the lifting by raising and lowering the wheelchair with Isabella in it. The cost is $90,000 without taxes and additional fees.<\/p>\n
When asked if she has the money for the van, Watts said no. “As a single mother to a disabled child, no,” she said.<\/p>\n
The family is running out of options as getting Isabella out of the house remains a daily challenge. On a typical day, Watts drops Isabella off at school, picks her back up, loads the car, takes her to occupational therapy, unloads the car for the hour-long appointment, then reloads everything and heads home to unload again.<\/p>\n
Despite the urgent need, Watts sees beyond the challenges. “I see a beautiful, precious girl. She’s funny. She’s brave. She’s inspiring. Her smile is the most beautiful thing in the world,” she said.<\/p>\n