Artist who suffered stroke at 16 recovers with GMA Kapuso Foundation's help, resumes creating art

An artist who suffered a stroke when he was 16 years old has recovered with help of the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to a "24 Oras" report, Monday, the now 23-year-old Gerald Ibañez became paralyzed in 2015 due to the stroke. His mom Susana said he is a consistent honor student since kinder.

Because of his condition, Gerald found it hard to talk, walk, and move his upper body. He had to undergo therapy and take maintenance medicine.

"It's not directly distress itself but [its] association with other risk factors. Kung kulang ka sa tulog, hindi nakaka-recover nang mabuti ang katawan," his neurologist Dr. Elejandro Diaz said about cause of Gerald's stroke.

("If you don't get enough sleep, your body can't recover properly.")

With assistance from GMA Kapuso Foundation, however, Gerald eventually recovered. The team visited him in their home recently and found him in a better condition.

He can now walk and has even joined a national art competition. He is also using his creations to earn money, which he uses to buy medicine for his steady recovery.

The Ibañez family received groceries, drawing materials, and medicine when they were visited by GMA.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, Shopee, GCash, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—Franchesca Viernes/MGP, GMA News