Gabriela And Her Parents

Gabriela was the first patient to be processed by the team on clinic day. Gabriela, who is blind, was rapidly overwhelmed by the loud noises in the waiting rooms. To make her surgery day a bit smoother, we tried to keep the surroundings silent so she could listen to some soothing music.

During clinic, Dr. Erica Nguyen (anesthetist) clarified the medication that Gabriela has to take daily. 

Gabriela (almost 4 yrs old) coos gently while listening to music in pre-op.

Gabriela is not only blind, but she has cerebral palsy (CP). Her parents face many challenges. The numerous pediatric specialists they consult for their daughter's condition are all located in Quito, and none are available to travel to their smaller city. Gabriela requires multiple medications, which takes a toll on the already reduced family's budget: Gabriela's condition requires constant care from her mother. They also cannot afford the orthotics she would need to function more autonomously. Initially, they were referred to CAMTA for a single hip surgery – but to really improve her quality of life, alleviate her pain and allow her to sit, the surgeons decided to perform bilateral hip surgery. By allowing her to sit, her social life will be immensely improved, and we hope the increased social interactions will help her develop cognitively to her full potential. 

Gabriela's parents look after their daughter during recuperation. They are always by her side and though their hearts ache when Gabriela is irritable, they offer every CAMTA member their warmest smiles. 

Gabriela's parents understand the medical world like no other parents we have met this week. They've been consulting specialists since her birth and it shows: they have the most thorough and complicated questions on the ward. It is a pleasure for all the nurses and doctors to discuss every one of them because each answer gives them more confidence in supporting their daughter's recovery. They are beautifully devoted to the happiness and the well-being of their little girl.