After weeks of emotional obstacles and surprises, a Santa Ana family, whose daughter was born without legs, may be able to live more comfortably thanks to donations from police and strangers.
Last month, Rosa Perez pleaded for the public's help to find her 4-year-old daughter Milagros' specialized wheelchair stolen from outside their apartment complex in the 400 block of South Flower Street a few days before Thanksgiving. Milagros, or "miracle" in Spanish, was born without legs, a heart condition and other ailments.
Days later, an NBC4 viewer donated a check to the family to help buy Milagros a new wheelchair.
But the miracles didn't stop there. On Nov. 27, Milagros' wheelchair appeared near a trash can outside the family's apartment complex.
Perez was overwhelmed and grateful to have the wheelchair back. She said she wished to make life more comfortable for her daughter, who scooted around on a skateboard and used her wheelchair to get to school.
Now, Milagros and her family have learned that police officers in Santa Ana received about 100 cards and letters from people wanting to help the family.
On Thursday, the Perez family was presented with a check for more than $28,000, which includes the $10,00 previously donated by NBC4 viewer Joyce Brandman.
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The family hopes the money will help them move out of a their one bedroom apartment, where they have lived since they lost their home in bankruptcy due to the high cost of paying Milagros' medical bills.
