Surprising arrival in the back of cab

With a need for additional medical support, Wara was sent to a hospital in La Paz, Bolivia, where a medical team could provide her the care she required.

But there was one major obstacle standing in their way: The hospital was five hours away from their home.

Determined to overcome any obstacle for her family, and with no other options, Claudina and Wara ordered a taxi and set out on their way.

However, during the drive, it became apparent that Wara wouldn’t make it to the hospital before giving birth.

Thinking fast, Claudina instructed the taxi driver to pull over, and quickly stepped up to deliver her newest granddaughter Heydi.

But seeing Heydi’s cleft condition for the first time in the back seat of the taxi, Claudina and Wara soon grasped that their troubles were far from over.

Eight-months-old Heydi, before cleft surgery. Photo: Margherita Mirabella
Eight-months-old Heydi, before cleft surgery. Photo: Margherita Mirabella.
Volunteer paediatric anaesthesiologist Dr. Karin Strand and volunteer post-anaesthesia care unit physician Dr. Ben Hu provide Heydi’s comprehensive health evaluation to determine if she’s healthy enough to receive cleft surgery during a 2018 surgical programme in Santa Cruz. Photo: Margherita Mirabella
Bolivian Volunteer cleft surgeon Dr. Carlos Hugo Dorado, left, and paediatric anaesthesiologist Dr. Karin Strand, centre, carry Heydi out of the operating room toward the waiting arms of her grandmother, Claudina. Photo: Margherita Mirabella
Bolivian Volunteer cleft surgeon Dr. Carlos Hugo Dorado, left, and paediatric anaesthesiologist Dr. Karin Strand, centre, carry Heydi out of the operating room toward the waiting arms of her grandmother, Claudina. Photo: Margherita Mirabella

Hard decision made with love

After the ambulance arrived, they were rushed to a nearby community health centre before being transferred to the La Paz hospital where Wara and Heydi spent the next 36 hours recovering.

During this time, Claudina began to focus her attention on the next obstacle that the family would face – finding a way to get Heydi surgery to repair her cleft lip.

Although there was no indication that Heydi would be born with a cleft condition, that didn’t stop other family members and people in their community from making harmful remarks in passing and placing all blame on Wara.

This took an emotional toll on Wara. Despite the immense love she had for her daughter, Wara felt in her heart that making Claudina Heydi’s principal caregiver was the best decision for her family.

More than anything, Wara wanted Heydi to live a happy life without worry or fear of the stigma that’s often associated with having a cleft condition.

Heydi’s grandfather, Florencio, inquired about care from a private hospital that he knew provided surgery. But as farmers who made a meagre income selling potatoes and beans, Claudina and Florencio feared that without surgery, their granddaughter would live her entire life with an unrepaired cleft lip.

But they continued their search, never once giving up hope.

The search for a brighter future

Then one day, a family member told them about Operation Smile Bolivia and the team of medical professionals who provide free reconstructive cleft surgery to children like Heydi around the world.

Claudina’s hope deepened when she received a call informing her that a surgical programme would be taking place soon.

One week before the programme, Heydi was seen by Operation Smile medical volunteers in La Paz and given a comprehensive medical evaluation to ensure she was a candidate for safe surgery. As a healthy eight-month-old, she passed and was cleared to attend the programme 18 hours away in Santa Cruz.

Claudina, Heydi and many other families of children born with cleft who were looking forward to receiving surgery boarded the bus for the long journey ahead.

On the day of Heydi’s surgery, Claudina waited anxiously, remembering the hardships it had taken their family to get to this point.

But seeing Heydi smile for the first time after surgery made every unexpected hurdle they endured throughout the past year worth it.

There was no doubt that Claudina loved Heydi from the moment she was born, regardless of her cleft condition.

But now, she knew Heydi wouldn’t have to worry about the opinions of others or the stigma surrounding cleft.

She would grow up feeling loved and cherished by everyone.

Thank you everyone, our children can smile and do not need to be hidden.

Claudina, Heydi’s grandmother, Bolivia

Heydi’s new smile

Heydi won’t have to endure the stigma of cleft, thanks to the early intervention from Operation Smile Bolivia

Cleft care in Bolivia since 1999

Families wait for cleft care in Bolivia.Photo: Margherita Mirabella
Families wait for cleft care in Bolivia. Photo: Margherita Mirabella

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