In The News
Children Smile at White Memorial: An Early Christmas for Patients Treated for Cleft Palate
As published in La Opinion
If the children that Santa Claus visited at White Memorial hospital had been born in their parents’ countries, they would hardly shine with the smiles that they wear on their faces yesterday.
Thanks to science and an early Christmas, yesterday dozens of children who were born with cleft palate enjoyed Santa’s visit and took a ride in a small train through the surrounding streets of the medical center.
But what parents celebrated most was the achievement of sharing a meal with other families, due to the difficulty in chewing food during their children’s first years of life.
Aura Perrusquía, from Mexico City, Mexico, mentioned that destiny put her through two similar tests: her sons Kevin and Mario Hernández, ages 7 and 8, respectively, were born with cleft lip.
At their young age, both have a long medical history of regular visits to specialists and two surgeries, one when they were 3 months old to correct the upper lip and the other one when they were 11 months old to correct the palate. Both followed by therapies to teach them how to consume food.
Allan Perry, MD, doctor in charge of the program at White Memorial, said that in some occasions it may well take from five to six surgeries depending on the complexity of the case.
Perrusquía summarizes her experience by saying: “It was hard, because no one thinks this is going to happen to me, but here at the hospital, as well as the doctors in this program have helped us so much. We have seen other cases and we know that our sons are not the only ones, there are many more.”
Also Silvia Herring, resident of La Puente, accompanied her grandson John, age 7, who changed her life forever when he was born.
“I didn’t take very well the news, we always expect children to be born normal, without trouble, but things happen and we have to move forward.”
Parents like Patricio Palacios, from Oaxaca, thought the face of his sons will never change. “I thought there was no treatment, but thank God I had people who helped me. They told me I should not worry.”
Like these stories, there are dozens that each year joined the hospital, who cares mainly for immigrants’ children.
“For them it is hard, because sometimes they do not know where to go, they cannot call to make an appointment and every now and then they need transportation,” said Anabel López who works in the program making appointments and interpreting for parents, since many do not speak English.
It is estimated that on a daily basis, one in five new born babies at the hospital have palate problems.
“I really like this program; I do it from my heart. Actually when I am here, we make everything possible to help parents, even doing things that are beyond our reach, but as human beings we do it,” indicated López.
Yesterday a largely Hispanic group of parents and children was greeted with a “Hello, how are you,” by the Los Angeles Chief Police Department (LAPD), William Braton, who shared a Christmas dinner along with other officers.
“I am happy because it is good that children get gifts and meet the doctors that work with them in providing the services that the surgeries required, what they need in order to have a normal life,” explained Silvia Herring.
Her 7 year old grandson, after his third surgery, continues with therapy and visits to specialists.
There is still one surgery missing to correct the mouth cavity.
“Everyone expects children to be born normal, with no trouble, but things happen and we should move forward.”
Palacios told that during the surgeries is when he worries more. “It is very hard, it is worst when they operate, I have to get up at dawn, come early, and be strong.”
Posted 12/9/07
