Mother’s Day has been quite different for 27-year-old Angeli Rambally over the past four years. The mother of two spends her days providing round-the-clock care for her disabled daughter, often leaving her overwhelmed and emotionally drained. Her husband, 29-year-old Ricardo Rambally, works as a machine operator and is the sole breadwinner for the young Carapichaima-based family.
They are in desperate need of financial assistance to provide their four-year-old daughter, Sarai Rambally, with the basic skills and support she needs to gain some level of independence.
Sarai is currently under the care of the Paediatric Neurology Clinic at Eric Williams Medical Science Complex as well as the Neurosurgery Clinic at San Fernando General Hospital.
Her diagnoses include hydrocephalus with a VP shunt in place, epilepsy (currently controlled with monotherapy), a history of infantile spasms treated with steroids, global developmental delay, and visual impairment. An ophthalmology assessment has confirmed she is also blind.
Sarai’s condition requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to care. She faces several medical and developmental challenges, including progressive orthopaedic complications such as contractures and scoliosis, which can cause her significant discomfort.
Psychologically, due to her inability to communicate and her chronic health issues, she and her family need support from mental health professionals. Sarai also suffers from feeding difficulties, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, and chronic constipation. She is at risk of aspirating food, which calls for specialised input from both gastroenterologists and respiratory specialists.
Regular, intensive therapy is crucial to prevent her condition from deteriorating further. Sarai needs physiotherapy and speech-language therapy at least three times per week, along with occupational therapy once a week.
She must be closely monitored by a network of specialists, including developmental and community paediatricians, paediatric neurosurgeons, neurologists, dieticians, psychologists, ophthalmologists, palliative care providers, and potentially ENT, orthopaedic, respiratory, and surgical specialists. In addition, she requires specialised mobility equipment such as an adaptive wheelchair with trunk support, a modified car seat, and a feeding chair.
Respite care is also essential for the family’s well-being, as Sarai’s care is intense and unrelenting. Angeli cannot hold a job, as Sarai requires 24-hour supervision.
"My pregnancy was pretty normal until the last part, around 30 to 33 weeks. That’s when I started to notice something might be wrong,” Angeli explained. “I did a private ultrasound around 33 weeks, and that’s when I found out there were issues with the baby."
Asked about her daily routine, Angeli described it as a nonstop, 24-hour job, with little to no rest. Her daughter is unable to move independently and this, she says, makes the experience physically and emotionally exhausting. Despite feeling overwhelmed at times, Angeli re
