12-year-old boy in Sultan Kudarat makes DIY skateboard for younger sister born without arms and legs

A 12-year-old boy in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, has made a makeshift skateboard for his younger sister who was born without arms and legs.

According to a “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” episode, Alfie is a superhero for six-year-old Angel. After all, her brother could create things out of recycled items, including her skateboard made from an old stroller and an arnis stick. This DIY skateboard serves as her feet and has helped her travel around.

“Gumawa ako ng skateboard. Dahil hindi siya makalakad,” Alfie said. “Inaalalayan ko siya para hindi siya matumba at para hindi siya mahulog.”

[“I made her a skateboard because she can’t walk. I’d support her so she wouldn’t fall.”]

“Maglakad siya parang penguin (she walks like a penguin),” said their mother Amalia, adding that sometimes Angel would lose her balance, hit the ground headfirst with her mouth bleeding, and use her forehead to push herself up.

Apart from her condition, Angel had a hard time eating because her tongue was connected to the inside of her cheek. She also had difficulty breathing and her skin often turned red because of the heat.

Unfortunately, Angel had no relief from the heat at home because they had no constant access to electricity since missing their bill payments for two months now.

Angel said her playmates sometimes bullied her and made her cry, but her older brother Alfie defended her each time.

“May times na magtago siya sa likod ng dingding, umiiyak. Magtingin siya sa salamin. Bakit ganun daw siya? Sobrang sakit parang pinipilas po 'yung katawan mo. Hindi ko alam kung anong masabi ko sa kanya,” her mother said.

[“There are times she’d hide behind the wall, crying. She’d look in the mirror and ask why she didn’t have arms and legs. It hurts so much, it feels like my body is being torn apart. I don’t know what to tell her.”]

Amalia said she was diagnosed with postpartum eclampsia when she gave birth to Mia, Angel’s older sister.

The mother recalled that she was paralyzed, but after five months, she became pregnant with Angel.

When she had an ultrasound, she and her husband found out that their baby didn’t have limbs.

Although the baby was born with complications, her family believed she was a blessing from the heavens. Alfie even thought of naming her “Angel.”

Despite her condition, Angel was determined to finish her studies and dreamt of becoming a lawyer someday.

To be able to write, she’d put her pencil between her shoulder and neck.

Learning about Angel’s condition and determination, a good Samaritan shouldered Angel’s prosthesis expenses.

With the person’s help, Angel would finally have her own arms and legs.

Meanwhile, the KMJS team offered financial aid to the family and settled their electric bills, and the local government awarded a scholarship to Angel.

Thanking her real-life heroes, Angel didn’t forget to mention her older brother who had supported her from the very beginning.

For those who want to help Angel, please deposit to:

LANDBANK OF THE PHILIPPINES
Isulan, Sultan Kudarat Branch

ACCOUNT NAME: FELIX B SALIGUMBA 
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 2456 2388 34

—Kaela Malig/RC/MGP, GMA News