Nicol

Six-year-old Nicol lives with her two siblings, mother, and grandparents in the village of Sacaba on the outskirts of Cochabamba, Bolivia. Nicol is a bright and smiley child. She and her little brother Sebastian enjoy playing with the sheep that they raise outside their small adobe house.

Nicol’s mother Wilma embroiders tablecloths and crochets hats and purses for a living. With this she can earn around $250 per month for her family. Nicol’s father, Remigio is currently in prison. Wilma says he was tricked by a friend and falsely accused. Now Wilma and her three children are living with her parents. She is grateful for her parents’ support as she deals with her husband’s legal troubles and Nicol’s worsening health issues.

During a regular check-up, doctors determined Nicol had a heart murmur and referred her to a cardiologist. There she was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosus, an opening between the two blood vessels leading from the heart. The cardiologist said Nicol would need to undergo a medical procedure to close the PDA and restore healthy heart function.

Wilma shared, “I’m not able to save money. What I earn is only to feed my children. My father helps us with the house. My husband was falsely accused and that is why he is in jail. Please I ask you to help me since I have no possibility to pay the cost of the operation.”

Wilma sought help from the Puente de Solidaridad Pediatric Heart Surgery Program. Through this program and with financial support from the Goff Gift Fund, Nicol was scheduled for a cardiac catheterization procedure to block the PDA with an occlusion device. Bolivian partner surgeon, Dr. Gabriel Echazú successfully performed the procedure at the Belga Hospital in Cochabamba. Nicol was released from the hospital the following day.

Puente de Solidaridad social workers checked in with Nicol and her family two months after surgery. Wilma reported that Nicol was recuperating rapidly and no longer experiencing the fatigue and shortness of breath she suffered before surgery. Wilma was very happy to see her daughter doing well. Nicol said she’s looking forward to returning to school soon and playing outside with her little brother.

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