Kristen Goss was named the poster child for the Rett Foundation in 2003. The posters went across the United States. Kristen and her family were happy to provide her photo to help in any way they could to fight this neurodevelopmental disorder that afflicts females almost exclusively. Since July, the 9-year-old Woodsboro Elementary student has been fighting for her life.

“She became gravely ill in July and had to be hospitalized for 13 days in Houston,” said Elizabeth Gonzales, her mother.

The disorder afflicts its female victims with loss of hands, hand movements, slow brain and head growth, gait abnormalities, seizures and mental retardation.

She will be required to travel back to Houston for at least five days in November for further surgery.

Luckily, Elizabeth says her husband, Juan, has a good job and they have insurance but the uncovered expenses is taking a toll on their family of six.

“When Kristen was hospitalized at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, the moms that stay with their children get free food trays and parking is free,” Elizabeth said. “But it’s different in Houston. Parking is $17 a day and a small food tray with hardly any food is $8.”

Equipment for the special feeding tubes needed in the hospital and at home are out-of-pocket expenses not covered by their policy as is much of her medical supplies so the bills continue to rise. Elizabeth cut back the only way she could. She’s lost 30 pounds. The 13-day hospital stay was expensive beyond their imagination.

“We’ve always been able to provide for ourselves and never asked for help from anybody,” she said. “But I don’t know how much longer we can keep this up.”

As medical debts pile up, Elizabeth said they will continue to do everything necessary to keep her little girl alive and well.

“I told the doctors in Houston, ‘if you’re doing everything possible for Kristen, we’re on the same page,’” she said.

Within the South Texas Children’s Hospital is the Blue Bird Rett Specialty Clinic where world renowned doctors hold conferences and have the latest treatment for her daughter’s disorder.

“She was where she needed to be,” Elizabeth said.

The family says they thank God for living in their community.

“We’re so blessed to live in Woodsboro,” she says. “I’ve talked to other parents of children with Retts and the hurdles they have to go through are exhausting. The school system here is nothing like that. They go above and beyond to help us and Kristen’s teachers have been wonderful.”

WISD educators come regularly since the school year began to the Gonzales home to provide classes for Kristen, for which Elizabeth says she will always be grateful.

Juan and Elizabeth have three other children, Elias, 7; Izak, 4; and Isaias, 17 months.

Accounts have been set up at First National Bank, Woodsboro and San Antonio National Bank, Refugio to accept donations. Haertig’s, Tuttle’s and Woodsboro Dairy Queen also have donation jars.