CAMTA was Carla's Mother and Grandmother's Last Hope

Pamela Maldonado heard about CAMTA just about two weeks ago. Her daughter Carla was diagnosed with a bilateral cleft palette when Pamela was six months pregnant and Pamela worried through the remainder of her pregnancy. Carla was born with hip dysplasia and it was difficult to feed her because of her cleft palette. Pamela is a single mother and raises her daughter with her mother, Marta, who herself was a single mother of three daughters. They share Carla's care with Marta working during the week and Pamela working on the weekends as a sales clerk in a clothing store.

Carla's cleft palette was corrected through a charity organization. However when Pamela and Marta searched for a solution for Carla's hip dysplasia, they were told that Carla should undergo three surgeries at a minimum cost of over $2000.00; a sum that was completely out of their reach.

Pamela worried about her daughter's prospects in life, particularly in the light of her sister's similar hip problem, which came at a great monetary, emotional and practical cost for Marta. Pamela's sister underwent multiple surgeries that in the end did not work. This was the dismal scenario that faced Pamela. Pamela considered CAMTA as her last hope. Not only would Carla receive vital surgery from CAMTA, but it could be done in one surgery and the cost of the blood from the Red Cross and hospital fee was manageable.

Pamela and Marta were very emotional in describing how much CAMTA's work has meant to them and expressed their deep, deep heartfelt gratitude. “Carla is the happiness of the household,” they said, “and now everything is possible for her in the future.” CAMTA translator Fransisco Gallardo expressed on our behalf that our payment as CAMTA volunteers is to witness the happiness, not only of the patients we help, but of the whole family. We told them that as volunteers we represent so many people back home who support our effort to come to Ecuador and who have helped to make this difference. It doesn't get better than this!

Pamela Maldonado and her daughter Carla

 

Carla, her grandmother Marta, mother Pamela and translator Fransisco Gallardo

 

 

Maria Never Expected her Life to Turn Around

Maria Genoveva lived with severe pain for many years and never expected her situation to change. She lives with and cares for her nine year old granddaughter in a small village over six hours from Quito. People in the village all help each other, but Maria could only move around her house with difficulty using the walls for support. She tolerated the pain for 10 years until the pain became so unbearable she became bedridden and could not bend at the hip. Her daughter Silvia Mava Chicaizo borrowed a vehicle to bring Maria to Quito for the hip surgery that will transform her life. 

We asked Maria what she looks forward to doing now that she is mobile. Quiet tears rolled down her cheeks as she spoke about how happy she is just to be able to walk with no pain and be able care for her granddaughter with fuller quality. “Nobody ever thought this would be possible; to walk without pain and have hope.”

Translator Adam Petriw has been so impressed with Maria's resilience and strength and told her he has learned so much from her, including her sense of appreciation. “You have warmed our hearts,” he said. Both Maria and Silvia spoke emotionally at once to say “You do the same. We are amazed at the quality and warmth of the CAMTA people. We are very grateful! Thank you from our hearts.”

Maria was emotional when she spoke of how her life has been changed – how she looks forward to a life of hope – a life with no pain for the first time in so many years.

Translator Adam Petriw with Maria and her daughter Silvia

Patients are Going Home

Cristian and his mother Alexandra before his bilateral adductor surgery yesterday.

Translator Toby Cubitt worked with the physiotherapy team to adapt a wheelchair for Cristian.

Social worker Sarita Vilatuna, who arranged for the loan of the wheelchair, with Alexandra and Toby.

Orthopedic residents Dr. David Saliken and Dr. Jamie McInnes and medical student Jance McGale checked Javier Alexander before his was discharged.

Javier's mother soothed Javier while he was being examined.

Javier and his mother

Remember Stifany? We met her sleeping on her mother's back in pre-op yesterday. She felt a little queasy this morning but will be going home this afternoon. 

Adult orthopedic surgeon Rejean Cloutier, and pediatric orthopedic surgeons Dr. Marc Moreau and  Dr. Doug Armstrong cut little Elias' Achilles tendon while his parents looked on.

Angela Alava Clementina had her right hip replaced yesterday. She's done so well and because she is able to manage the stairs, she will be able to go home later today.

 

 

Time for the CAMTA 2014 Mission to Pack up and go Home

IT guy Greg Zinter and Dan Lefebvre record supply inventories from each group on the team.

The team packed supplies and listed the contents of each bag. Some supplies stay in Quito for future missions; others return to Edmonton with the team.

 

 

Packing supplies on the ward

 

 

Some people pack, others just supervise!

 

Goodbye – see you in 2015!