Local author donating book sale proceeds to island teen
Local resident and author Carol Wilson will be donating all proceeds from her book “One for the Birds” to a 19-year-old island resident Isidro ‘Izzy’ Reyes, who was born with cerebral palsy.
“Izzy arrived on Pine Island at the age of 3 years old,” Wilson said. “He was diagnosed shortly after birth with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance and posture.
“Izzy has had multiple operations at Shriner’s Hospital in Tampa and also has scoliosis,” Wilson said. “Scoliosis is a medical condition that causes a person’s spine to ‘curve’ sideways. It’s usually an ‘S’ or ‘C’ shaped curve. This is a serious and painful condition that gradually gets worse over time and now Izzy suffers with 80 percent curvature of the spine.”
Wilson has raised funds for Reyes for the last few years.
“The people of Pine Island have helped this young man to survive,” Wilson said. “Izzy has never eaten, he is fed through a tube in his stomach. He has never spoken and has never walked. Izzy is 19 years old.”
Wilson is donating the proceeds from her book, “One for the Birds,” to benefit Izzy at the following craft fairs.
– Nov. 5, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church Craft Fair.
– Nov. 12, Pine island Lutheran Church Craft Fair
– Dec. 10, Pine Island Lutheran Church Craft Fair.
– Feb 11, Pine Island Lutheran Church Craft Fair.
“Izzy has been taken care of by his mother and supported by his father,” Wilson said. “Izzy can’t speak but his smile speaks volumes. Once you’ve seen that smile, you can never forget it.”