October 24, 2025
Overcoming health challenges with her parents’ love and Tzu Chi’s support
By Dorothy Castro
When 29-year-old multiple sclerosis patient Rica Serrano stood up and walked, it was as if her parents, Maribel and Ricardo, were seeing her take steps for the very first time. Only this instance filled them with reassurance and hope.
For Maribel, this moment was more than a sign of improvement from her condition; it soothed her fear of leaving Rica unable to fend for herself. The Serranos weren’t getting any younger, and they worried about their daughter dealing with her diagnosis alone.
It started on a field trip more than a decade ago, when Rica, the youngest of three children, tripped and fractured her ankle. Thinking it would heal on its own, she kept her injury a secret, until it worsened. By the time the family noticed, the then 17-year-old was limping.
From 2016, the road to her diagnosis was a long and narrow path, involving a series of consultations from one specialist to another, with expenses continuously piling up.
Yet it was not the ankle fracture that became their sole worry, but an underlying condition that doctors discovered when they saw a fracture in her spine.
Rica was diagnosed with Pott’s Disease, or tuberculosis of the spine, and underwent treatment to address it. By December 2024, doctors made another devastating diagnosis: Rica was also suffering from multiple sclerosis, an incurable autoimmune disease involving nerve damage.
“She could not stand, and became bedridden,” said Maribel, who spoke for Rica as her daughter has difficulty expressing herself.
Many patients like Rica turn to rehabilitation and physical therapy in the hopes of regaining mobility, especially in cases where muscle weakness is severe.
For Maribel and Ricardo, no treatment option was beyond them. Former company employees, the couple pooled all possible resources for Rica’s physical therapy.
When their funds eventually ran out in early 2025, they relied on their skills. Maribel is a food tray seller, while Ricardo is an on-call carpenter. Their older children, Maricar and Ricardo Jr., pitch in by providing the gas money to get Rica to her appointments.
But, as anyone caring for a sick family member will tell you, the costs just keep coming. This changed when Dr. Regina Talavera, Rica’s acupuncturist from Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, referred her to the Tzu Chi Foundation’s free clinic.
Located at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, the free clinic includes acupuncture and physical therapy in its roster of healthcare services. Rica, who started acupuncture under Dr. Talavera and Dr. Stanley Chua in March 2025, also undergoes physical therapy through volunteer specialist Mikaela Trazo.
Through Tzu Chi’s generosity, Rica was also able to secure leg braces (bilateral ankle foot orthosis) to correct the imbalance in her leg.
As her physical therapy and acupuncture sessions progressed, Rica began regaining feeling in her legs, prompting a greater chance of improvement.
“I was moved to tears from the joy and blessing. We were brought to the right place. It was as if God gave us the right timing to receive help,” said Maribel, grateful for Tzu Chi’s assistance.
“Tzu Chi is where we were given hope that Rica could walk, at a time when we thought she would forever be bedridden; our strength comes from Tzu Chi.” she added.
Now 29, Rica Serrano has been using a wheelchair since her diagnosis of Pott’s disease.
Rica Serrano prepares for her Ankle Foot Orthosis casting at University of the East Ramon Magsaysay (UERM) Memorial Medical Center.
An AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) casting was made for Rica Serrano’s leg.
Leg braces, which Rica Serrano received with help from Tzu Chi, help her stand and walk.
Holding on to a barre for support, Rica Serrano attempts to stand up.
Rica Serrano is held up by her father Ricardo (in white) as she practices standing up.
Every therapy day is a family day for the Serrano family, who support Rica in her health journey.
Dr. Regina Talavera (in purple) treats Rica during her acupuncture session.
At Tzu Chi’s free clinic, Rica Serrano (seated) is joined in a photo shoot by the people who care for her, including her parents, Ricardo and Maribel (center) and Dr. Regina Talavera (right).