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Sept. 21, 2011. Sydney
. From the waist up, Juriel Amora looks every inch like a normal person, except for a missing left arm which is completely hidden by a long sleeve shirt he usually wears. He speaks shyly with a well-modulated voice, typical of a 12-year old boy from the province of Bohol, Philippines.
But that’s all he has— a torso with one arm and both legs missing!
According to his father, Juriel’s physical defects were congenital. It was probably traceable to the German measles his wife had during her pregnancy. All four other siblings are normal.
The young Amora was discovered by a kind-hearted farmer from New Zealand who was doing missionary work for SOMA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad). It was God’s will that brought Danny Simms to look after the needs of Juriel. Mr. Simms who hails from Manganui, Kaitara in New Zealand said that Juriel will have to be fitted with new prosthetic limbs every year until he reaches full adulthood.
That means flying to Australia year after year until Juriel becomes 21. Aside from the airfare, which Juriel’s parent obviously cannot afford, accommodation in Sydney will have to be provided for a minimum of six weeks, the time needed to make and fit a new set of prosthetics.
That is where the Philippine Community Council (PCC-NSW) came in. Its incumbent president, Marivic Manalo, offered her home in Rouse Hill to look after the needs of Juriel and his father.
Today, PCC-NSW hosted a nine-course dinner at Crystal Seafood Restaurant for media to listen to the plight of Juriel Amora. Among the press people present were Nonoy Perdon of Bayanihan News, Titus Filio of News Pinoy, Millie Philips of Ang Kalatas, Ronald Manila of SBS Radio, Benjie de Ubago, popular columnist of Philippine Sentinel and this writer.
One thing is certain— Juriel will no longer be using a skateboard to move around, as he did when he was discovered by Danny Simms. But while waiting for the completion of his new set of limbs, he will have to ride piggy-back on his father.
Meanwhile, there is a continuing need to finance his travel from the Philippines to Sydney during the next 9 years. Generous souls who want to donate money for Juriel can contact PCC NSW directly.