Olivia
At two months of age, most babies are beginning to notice familiar faces and responding to the sound of their parents’ voice. For Olivia, at two months of age every day was a fight for survival. Soon after her birth, Olivia was interned at the Japanese Hospital in Santa Cruz due to a congenital heart condition. Olivia suffered from Patent Ductus Arteriosus and would need surgical attention to close the opening in her heart wall. Medical staff put her on oxygen and monitored her closely as her parents worked to find the resources to afford her surgery.
Olivia is the only child of Ronald and Yobana. Ronald works as a truck driver and Yobana is dedicated to housework. However, since Olivia has been having health problems, both parents have been focused full-time on taking care of the baby.
Yobana shared, “We have been married for seven years and were so excited when I became pregnant with Olivia. When she was born, there were complications. She was in therapy in the clinic, but we could not afford to keep her there. We took Olivia to the Japanese Hospital where doctors told us she would need surgery. We didn’t know what to do. Our family supports us with what they can, but we don’t have the resources to take on the surgery. That’s why we have been looking for support so that our daughter can have the operation.”
Ronald and Yobana found help for their daughter through the Incor Foundation, Puente de Solidaridad, and Dharma Social Projects. Doctors Barrientos and Jaldin performed the surgery to close the opening in Olivia’s heart on February 19 at the Incor Hospital. Baby Olivia was released from the hospital one week later. It’s wonderful to know Ronald and Yobana will be able to get to know their baby girl outside of the hospital and begin to grow into their new life together.