Roger
Roger has suffered occasional bouts of rapid heart rate since he was 10 years old. Shortly after the tachycardia episodes began, his family moved from the rugged countryside of central Bolivia to the city of Santa Cruz. All six family members moved in with Roger’s oldest brother, Tito. The family hoped to find better care for their mother and Roger, and better education and work opportunities for everyone. Unfortunately, the family continues to struggle; six of them depend on the roughly $300 dollars the father and Tito bring in from odd construction jobs.
Roger was eventually diagnosed with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), which could be treated with a cardiac ablation procedure. They couldn’t afford the surgery, so Roger refrained from participating in sports or other rigorous activities. It also meant he couldn’t hold down a steady job. Although his teachers and family were supportive, Roger wanted to participate in the normal activities of a young man his age and also support his family.
The family was overjoyed to learn that the Solidarity Bridge heart program might help them finally treat Roger’s condition. In Roger’s words, “With all my heart, I am very grateful for the help you are going to provide me. My parents are also going to be much happier when I’m better.”
Roger’s ablation procedure was performed on May 10 at a new Solidarity Bridge partner hospital, the Martin Dockweiler University Hospital in Santa Cruz. He was discharged the next day, and continues to recover well.