What Better Thing to Celebrate - A Life

    /24-7PressRelease/ - PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 05, 2008 - At age 22, Ashanti Abdur-Rahman was told that her newborn daughter had encephalitis, a shrinking of the brain, and would mostly likely not live past 2 years. If her daughter, Alexia, lived past that age, she would basically live as a vegetable. Thirteen years later, with faith and prayers from an extended family and a strong mother, Alexia has defied the odds. The extended family will be coming together with Ashanti to celebrate the birthday and life of Alexia at a formal Cinderella Ball on Saturday afternoon, April 5th, at The Chatteau in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In these 13 years, Alexia has really been the strong one. She has been in and out of hospitals and further diagnosed with every imaginable disability: encephalitis, cerebral palsy (brain disorder), microcephaly (small brain), profound mental retardation, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), muscle disorders such as: osteoporosis, scoliosis, and low muscle tone, a seizure disorder, and sleep apnea. She wears eyeglasses, hearing aides, braces, uses oxygen tanks, and feeding tubes. Her mother, Ashanti has a strong faith and her talents arise when she needs them. Becoming an expert at caring for her daughter grew into a career caring for children with similar or lesser disabilities. With Alexia being completely wheel chair bound, the petite Ashanti has developed unwavering strength to lift or carry her daughter of over 100 pounds several times daily. Although in her early years you could see Alexia try to walk and dance like the other children at the family gatherings, time has taken a toll on her condition. Yet, since she can only speak through her eyes, you can see that she still enjoys the family gatherings.

If there was ever a case for government benefits, this would be it. But, government rules are unforgiving. Because of Ashanti's employment, they loss social security insurance coverage for Alexia. Through the aide of a sponsor, Ashanti gets help with her several thousand per month medicine bill. As a single mother, Ashanti is to be praised. She works to ensure the costs of special schooling and other services that Alexia needs. She hopes to install a ramp at their home in the future when funds can be found. Ashanti's love for her daughter, Alexia, and her 4 year old daughter, Jania, is strong, and the extended family and friends will come together with her for the Celebration of Life - Alexia's life.

About Color Book Gallery
Offering a wide selection of children's literature, stories from around the world, educational, cultural and bilingual items, the Color Book Gallery is the Washington Metropolitan area's only multicultural children's bookstore. Visit the Color Book Gallery at 308-D Poplar Alley, Occoquan, Virginia or for further information, contact them at 703-494-1994, [email protected] or their website at www.colorbookgallery.com

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