Parents say daughter’s health complications don’t hinder her spirit

She is not paralyzed, but her muscles are in a constant contracted state. Her body was left that way two years ago after she had a seizure that lasted nearly a day.

"She’s still in there," said her father, Bruce Baum. "We’re just dying to get her out."

Marisa Baum, a 28-year-old southwest resident, was left completely nonverbal and unable to sit, stand, eat or breathe on her own.

Baum was born with cerebral palsy in New York City. With therapy, she was able to walk, eat and do pretty much everything else on her own.

The family moved to Las Vegas in 1993, and Baum graduated from Bonanza High School. Her parents described her as a normal, healthy young lady.

She loved talking on her cellphone with her friends. She had a sweet 16 party and went to her senior prom. She loved animals, especially cats and dogs. She liked watching hospital dramas and the Food Network – celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse was her favorite. She liked getting blonde highlights in her hair, having her nails painted and going shopping for purses and sunglasses more than anything.

Until her seizure, Baum was placed by Transition Services Inc., working at an art gallery, Studio 8 Ten, 810 Las Vegas Blvd. South. She made $1.75 per hour.

"Things were going well," said her mother, Marcia Baum.

On April 7, 2010, Marisa Baum developed a blood clot in a major vein that delivers blood to her heart, causing respiratory distress and a seizure. This superior vena cava syndrome developed as a result of medical malpractice, her parents said. A doctor had put an unnecessary port in her chest six years earlier that caused the complications, they said.

Marcia and Bruce Baum tried to find someone to take on their daughter’s case.

"I literally called 40 lawyers," Marcia Baum said. "Lawyers explained to us that there’s a $350,000 cap for pain and suffering in this state. After paying experts and insurance, there’s no money left. There’s no money in it for them.

"The only way to make money is on economic loss. Since she was only earning $1.75 an hour, she wasn’t earning enough to make it worth their while. They said you have to be earning $50,000 or more.

"I think the laws in the state need to be changed to protect average people."

The Baums were never wealthy, but they have never struggled so much as they are now.

Specialized equipment for Marisa is expensive and not always covered by insurance. Their power bill nears $800 each month because they must keep oxygen machines running for Marisa and her grandmother, who also lives in their home near Spring Mountain Road and Rainbow Boulevard.

"I’m so into the power company out here, I owe them so much money," Marcia Baum said. "I send them a couple hundred when I can. Thankfully they can’t shut us down because she’s on life support."

Anyone interested in helping the family can email Marcia Baum at mgb1022@aol.com.

Marisa Baum’s weeks are spent in and out of physical therapy, speech therapy and doctor appointments. Her parents said they do not know what to expect in the future, but they are staying hopeful.

"We play it day by day with her," Bruce Baum said. "Every day we’re just grateful for the next day we have with her."

Marcia Baum said they always try to find the best of a tough situation.

"Your whole perspective on life changes when you deal with something like this," Marcia Baum said. "You kind of learn what’s really important in life. She’s definitely a gift.

"I mean, yes, life has been really difficult. But I’ve learned so much through her. She’s been an amazing learning experience for me and my family."

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.