Hello, my name is Martim Silva Cruz, I'm from Boliqueime and this is my story!
I was very healthy and happy during the 40 weeks and 6 days when I grew up protected in my mother's belly. Everything changed in the birth that didn't go as expected. My mother had already had a broken purse for 39 hours and, despite the conditions not being met for my birth, they forced me to leave with just 3 dilation fingers. Things got complicated and I was born in cardio-respiratory arrest, requiring immediate resuscitation.
A few days after my birth, The doctors explained it to my parents, that I had suffered from Ischemic hypoxia, What caused damage to my brain. I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy – Tetraparésia Distónica, A condition that would defy my every move, ever since.
From my 15 Days of life, that I was accompanied by physiotherapists at the public hospital in Faro, the beautiful city in the Algarve where I was born. With 4 months, I've started a new chapter, on my journey at APPC in Faro, An association dedicated to people like me and that allows me to continue to progress daily.
In the last two years, thanks to the tireless efforts of my parents, I had the opportunity to do intensive treatments in private clinics. These therapies have helped me improve a lot. Every small victory is an immense joy and gives us hope so that I can, someday, be as autonomous as possible.
My life has been marked by a series of challenges but also by many smiles and achievements.! Every step I take toward autonomy is a testament to the love and support I receive from my family and everyone around me.. I now invite you to join us on this journey filled with love and determination.
Your help can transform my days, offering me more opportunities to grow and prosper independently. Together, let's move towards a brighter future!
Every gesture of yours is a giant step on the path of my autonomy.
Because I need everyone's help?
I have cerebral palsy - Tetraparésia Distónica!
I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy - Tetraparésia Distónica, A condition that would defy my every move, ever since.
In order to have some autonomy and quality of life!
I need intensive treatments in private clinics. These therapies have helped me improve a lot. Every small victory is an immense joy and gives us hope so that I can, someday, be as autonomous as possible.
Treatment are very expensive and require 3 a 4 times a year!
In the last two years, thanks to the tireless efforts of my parents, I had the opportunity to do intensive treatments in private clinics. These therapies have helped me improve a lot. Every small victory is an immense joy and gives us hope so that I can, someday, be as autonomous as possible.
Ways to HELP ME!
Now I'm going to tell you how you can be part of my great adventure. But before that I want you to know that every small gesture of yours is a giant step for me.!
Financial Donations
Your donation can be made in two different ways:
To the My Solidarity Account: When you transfer a donation to my account, you are directly giving me the support I need for my treatments, therapies and related expenses. You can access my solidarity account data HERE🙂.
To the Kinésio Medical and Rehabilitation Clinic - (located in Espinho in the district of Aveiro): You can also donate directly to the clinic that helps me get stronger! Whenever my parents manage to raise the necessary funds, my mother takes me for a month, to carry out intensive treatments, who have contributed so much to my journey towards autonomy.Each intensive treatment consists of physiotherapy (Therasuit method), The Padovan method (neurofunctional reorganization), speech therapy, occupational therapy and TDCS (transcranial electrical stimulation). The updated budget for 2024, has the value of 6 740€ and any amount can help us get another intensive treatment. They are super friendly and will explain to you how to do it. After, will give you an invoice, to let you know that your contribution has arrived right.
The contact of the clinic is this: 224 925 007 or 914 032 345.
Project "Dê uma Tampa"
- By Every Ton Plastic Caps Deposits €411,60 in my process.
- By Every ton of metal caps Assigns €465,60 to my process.
After, Whenever I perform treatments, the company itself manages the payments directly with the Kinésio Clinic.
Regularly, My father collects the various demijohns from the Pick-up points of my campaign and on my days off it separates everything for big BigBags. BigBags filled with caps must be only plastic and weigh at least 250kg.
And here comes a very important request that I have for you: when you add plastic caps and metal caps for me, Can you separate them please? I will explain to you why! My father tries very hard to separate everything, but sometimes mistakes can happen., and if there is mixing, the 250kg BigBag may not be considered for my help. And that makes us sad because it means all your work was in vain.
Remember that all caps are special to me, even the ones from shampoo bottles, detergent and fabric softener that smell so good!
Our biggest difficulty has been transporting these huge bags to Beja, but whenever we manage to do so, there is a contagious joy at home.!
Let's go to a simple math?!
Each BigBag contains 250kg
1 ton of Plastic Caps
Value that is delivered to the clinic
Cork Stoppers
A company Amorim based in Silves is also helping me! They recycle cork so if you can get the corks together, Remember to separate the ones that are only made of cork (Stoppers that have plastic or metal cannot be delivered).
Every ton that we were able to send to them is worth 500€ for my treatments!
Other Ways to Support the project "LET'S HELP MARTIM"
- Sports tournaments
- Concerts
- Hiking through the beautiful landscapes of our region
- Sale of homemade cakes
- Raffles and raffles at fairs
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
1. What is Cerebral Palsy - Tetraparésia Distónica?
Cerebral palsy is a neurological injury that can affect several areas of the brain. At the motor level, it consists of a disturbance in the control of posture and movement. Tetraparesis consists of the loss of motor functions, of the upper and lower limbs. Dystonia is characterized by involuntary movements and variations in muscle tone.
2. How Let's Help Martim financial donations are used?
Donations are used to fund my intensive care and expenses, either at the Kinésio Clinic or in other institutions that may be viable in the future.
3. Can I donate directly to the Kinésio Clinic?
4. O que é o projeto 'Dê uma Tampa' and how Martim helps?
This amazing project Transforms plastic caps and metal caps that we put together in exchange for funding for my treatments.
Resialentejo weighs the materials collected and, based on weight, Contributes financially to my treatment fund. 411,60€ for each ton of plastic and €465.60 for each ton of caps.
These values are managed between Resialentejo and the Clinics, to ensure the Maximum transparency of the project.
5. Como posso juntar-me ao projeto 'Dê uma Tampa'?
You can start collecting plastic caps and metal caps in your home. When you have a good quantity, you can deliver it to one of the several collection points.
6. How can I make a monetary donation?
It's very easy to help! You can make a donation directly to my solidarity account - IBAN of Martim Silva Cruz: PT50 0045 7214 4036 8604 7382 1. Any amount you can give will be a huge help towards the costs of my treatments and my daily life.
7. Who manages donations and how transparency is guaranteed?
Financial donations sent directly to mine solidarity account are managed with great care by my parents. They ensure that every dollar donated is used exclusively for my treatments and needs. Transparency is very important to us, That's why we keep detailed records and are always ready to answer any questions you may have about where and how the money is being used.
For donations sent directly to Kinésio Clinic Invoices are always issued, ensuring you have proof of the use of your donation.
In relation to the values achieved within the scope of the project "Dê uma Tampa”, these are managed directly by the company Resialentejo which coordinates the payments for my treatments with the Kinésio Clinic, or with other institutions/clinics.
8. Can I help with the transport of the BigBags to Beja?
9. Where can I leave my caps and caps?
- CD Boliqueime
- EB1 Benfarras
- Boliqueime Parish Council
- Vale Silves Community Center
- EB 2,3 Prof. Dr. Aníbal Cavaco Silva de Boliqueime
- Home of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Boliqueime
- Boliqueime Health Center
- Scout Group 1174 from Boliqueime
- EB1/JI of Vale Pedras - Albufeira
- EB 2,3 Prof. Diamantina Negrão de Albufeira
- EB1 by Vale Carro - Albufeira
- Symbiosis Pub & Bar - Olhos de Água
- Centro Paroquial de Paderne
- Centro de Saúde de Paderne
10. What I can and can't deliver?
✅ Are allowed:
The caps must be made of plastic or metal (caps).
- Regarding plastic, should preferably be of Liquid food (Waters, Amounts, etc.).
- They can also be caps of shampoo, softener, detergents, toothpaste, etc.
- The handles of the water bottles, are also accepted.
You have cork stoppers?
- Also accepted are those that are 100% cork.
❌ Not allowed:
- Cap deliveries “jericans”,
- Packaging lids dangerous goods,
- Caps syringes and others waste from hospitals,
- Of packaging that contained paints, varnishes, fat (olive oil, butter, oil),
- Cleaning spray bottles and liquid soap (The inner spring is made of iron),
- Caps tupperware, sanitas toilet refills, etc.
- Any plastic lid, that contains materials, metal (ex: metal thread or metal springs) are also not accepted.
11. And cork stoppers are also accepted?
If you have cork stoppers, separates those that are 100% cork. The Amorim company in Silves also supports our cause, recycling the cork stoppers we collect and converting them into funds for my treatments. €500 per tonne!
12. Why it's important to separate caps and caps correctly?
It's super important because if the caps and caps are not well separated, BigBags containing them may not be accepted, Which means that all the collection effort won't turn into help for me. That's why my father's careful work and your attention in the separation are so important.
Next events
Contacts you can use
If you're inspired to host an event or want to participate in some way, Please, contact us.
Together, every Initiative, big or small, It becomes part of my journey towards a brighter, more independent future.
Dad
Mickael Cruz
Mum
Marisa Silva
Kinésio - Medical and Rehabilitation Clinic
Phone: 224 925 007
(Call to national landline network)
Sell Phone: 914 032 345
(Call to national mobile network)