Kelin, Honduras, Spine Surgery

Kelin’s story is truly one of “new life and new hope.”  When Kelin came to St. Louis through HTC, her life was endangered by severe scoliosis, which was slowly crushing her lungs and heart.  Through two major surgeries at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and three months of halo traction at Shriners Hospital, Kelin’s life was saved.  Her host family, many Kirkwood friends, and classmates at St. Peters, will all agree that Kelin has magically touched their lives in countless ways.

Alyona, Ukraine, Hip Replacement & Elbow/Wrist Surgeries

Alyona’s life was transformed in so many ways during her eight-month stay in the U.S. and treatment at Shriners Hospital in St. Louis.  In those months, this remarkable young lady had a full hip replacement; major adjustments on her meds for epilepsy (which brought her out of a severely withdrawn state); and two surgeries on her wrist and hand, giving her more movement in her arm and hand that had been adversely affected by mild CP.  Alyona truly came to life before our very eyes.

Yuneyri, Guatemala, Plastic and Neurosurgery

This spunky little one kept many people on their toes during her stay in St. Louis!  With countless stitches across her head after the lengthy surgery to remove a nasal encepholocele (when a portion of brain is born outside your skull), we held our breath every time Yuneyri’s two-year-old legs took her scurrying … and sometimes tumbling … across the floor.  Her life will be forever changed by the cranio-facial surgery she received at St. John’s Mercy Health Center in St. Louis.

Melva, Honduras, Orthopedic Surgery

Our first glimpse of Melva was at the St. Louis airport as she walked toward us leaning sideways, with a profound limp and crooked leg.  Our last glimpse was also at the airport, seven months later, as she walked upright, with a completely straight leg, onto her Honduran-bound flight.  Melva’s transformation was nothing short of amazing and took many months of hard work and physical therapy after the initial surgery.  The doctors, nurses, and physical therapists at Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, along with her committed host family and classmates at New City School, were all part of the phenomenal team that helped changed Melva’s life. 

Catherine, Haiti, Plastic Surgery

Such a simple surgery yet one Catherine could not get in her home country of Haiti.  Usually treated in the first year of life, Catherine’s grandmother never gave up hope for getting her granddaughter surgery for her cleft lip, although by the time she heard about HTC, Catherine was four years old.  Her grandmother could scarcely believe her eyes when she first laid eyes on Catherine upon returning home to Haiti, just one month after her surgery at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, MO.  “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” were the words that tumbled from her mouth. Unless told, you would never know this beautiful young girl suffered from a congenital abnormality – only that she now lights up the room with her gorgeous smile.

Massiel, Dominican Republic, Prosthetic and Physical Therapy

An accident that could have happened to anyone turned into tragedy for this spunky ten year-old who slipped and fell on her wet kitchen floor.  Her knee swelled and her mother sought medical attention for her daughter in her poor village on the border of Haiti.  Although her knee was not even broken, her leg was cast – too tightly – and 48 hours later she had to have her leg amputated above the knee.  This tragedy would not crush this little girl’s spirit, however.  She came to St. Louis for a prosthetic leg and physical therapy and was walking and dancing around in no time.  She will be followed by a prosthetist in her home country and we continue to hear that Massiel is doing very well. Special thanks to Mark Wilson of Orthotic and Prosthetic Design, Inc. for the donation of Massiel’s prosthetic leg; and also to The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis for providing her physical therapy.

Ryan, Jamaica, Open-Heart Surgery

Ryan’s mother had almost given up hope after getting refusals from 4 different organizations to help her son who suffered from a very serious congenital heart defect.  His lips and fingertips were blue because of the lack of oxygen flowing through his heart and body.  He was too weak to play and spent most of his days in her arms or lying in bed.  Doctors said his condition was life-threatening if he did not receive help soon.  We thought it may be too late when HTC secured care for Ryan; however, the phenomenal doctors and medical staff at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center worked their miracles and saved Ryan’s life.  He’s now attending school and finally able to join his sister and friends on the playground!