Experience Journal: From Venezuela for the chance to live

At five months old, Diana was diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, a congenital heart defect (CHD) that couldn’t be treated in her home country of Venezuela. “Being told that your child has no chance of surviving is devastating,” says Diana’s mom, Alejandra. “We were given no hope.” Research into where in the world Diana would receive the best treatment led her parents to the Heart Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. Throughout Diana’s journey to health, Alejandra relied on support from her husband, her sisters and the community she found in Boston. “From the beginning, we felt that everyone — from social workers to physicians to staff at the Hale Family Center for Families — worked together so that my daughter could have a chance to live.” With Diana now through surgery and thriving, Alejandra shares her family’s experience to offer hope and guidance to other families coping with pediatric heart disease. The Experience Journals are collections of stories, videos and personal experiences from families about what it has been like to live with their children’s illnesses. This video is part of the Spanish Voices Journal made possible by support from Milagros para Niños.  The post Experience Journal: From Venezuela for the chance to live appeared first on Thriving Blog.
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Diseases & Conditions Our Patients’ Stories congenital heart defect Dr. Pedro del Nido Experience Journal Heart Center Source Type: news