Maryam was born with a bump on her tummy. The birth defect created a pouch that held her abdominal organs outside of her body.
The moment the CDTC Care Team met the three-year-old in 2015, they knew her case would be complicated. She could not eat or breathe completely on her own. Walking and talking were difficult if not impossible. And, her new physicians marveled at the volume of the toddler’s medical records when they arrived from her family’s previous home in Chicago.
After having been through so much already, the family clearly needed support. The ECHO Program took over coordinating Maryam’s care; working alongside Dr. Robinson in our Primary Care Clinic and even Dr. Alonso in our Dental Clinic.
She had multiple surgeries to close the opening in her stomach. It was afterwards that Maryam became a true hero to her Care Coordinator Jennifer.
“I have patients with a lot of complications,” shares Jennifer. “But she’s (Maryam’s) the one that’s made progress in every area.”
The now six-year-old little girl is eating normally. Her breathing issues are a thing of the past. Walking is no problem and neither is running or playing. Not only is she talking, she’s trilingual. Pre-K has begun and she’s enjoying writing her name and coloring.
Healing and overcoming developmental delays can be a slow process. But, Maryam’s progress is remarkable. Nothing is holding back this CDTC Hero now.
About our Hero of the Month
Each month, CDTC staff nominate one of our children as our Hero of the Month. These special boys and girls are heroes in our eyes. They show strength, perseverance, determination and a positive outlook while facing great challenges.
Their stories are powerful and heartwarming and reflect the impact CDTC and you, our community, has on their daily lives.
Thank You to
Our Sponsor
A trip to our Clinic is more than just a doctor’s visit to a child with special healthcare needs.
But, insurance doesn’t cover everything. That’s why your gift is so important.