I received this update from Jody of COTA today. I am so happy that Angel was fortunate enough to receive this treatment. Thank you to everyone for your donations, prayers, support and well wishes for Angel. Sharon
Dear Sharon,
There were not many dry eyes today at the airport as we sent Angel off to Guatemala. Rosemary, Ed and Teresa, their son Juan and myself were there to see Angel off. His escort will meet him at the airport in Texas and make sure he gets onto the plane for Guatemala City, where Aida will greet him.
Angel was nervous, sad and grateful for what COTA, Dr. Colin, Dr. Heironymus, Dr. Erena and Mayan Families has done for him. He had gotten attached to his foster family during his 2 months here and it was a very special moment to see him thanking his host mother. In Angel’s words, he “has no money to pay them for what they have done for him but God will reward them. They treated him like one of their own children, and he is very grateful.”
I explained to Angel that we will bring his dental bridge to him in Quiche, Guatemala in mid-January. I apologized for the fact that we had to pull 7 teeth while he was here but I explained that these teeth would have gotten, or already were, infected and would have compromised the integrity of his jaw in the future. Because his surgery was more for bone health and support structure than cosmetic, I was concerned that he might not understand how important the reconstruction and metal plate, (along with bone graft) was to his future facial bone health. His jaw would have continued to atrophy with time and I am very glad we were able to help him.
In my role with COTA, it is always a very rewarding day to see a child return home that I initially met in Guatemala. I stand in awe of the combined efforts that come together to restore the health of a child.
Angel anticipates being back in the fields of Guatemala picking broccoli with his father on Tuesday. I look forward to seeing him again in January.
Angel was nervous, sad and grateful for what COTA, Dr. Colin, Dr. Heironymus, Dr. Erena and Mayan Families has done for him. He had gotten attached to his foster family during his 2 months here and it was a very special moment to see him thanking his host mother. In Angel’s words, he “has no money to pay them for what they have done for him but God will reward them. They treated him like one of their own children, and he is very grateful.”
I explained to Angel that we will bring his dental bridge to him in Quiche, Guatemala in mid-January. I apologized for the fact that we had to pull 7 teeth while he was here but I explained that these teeth would have gotten, or already were, infected and would have compromised the integrity of his jaw in the future. Because his surgery was more for bone health and support structure than cosmetic, I was concerned that he might not understand how important the reconstruction and metal plate, (along with bone graft) was to his future facial bone health. His jaw would have continued to atrophy with time and I am very glad we were able to help him.
In my role with COTA, it is always a very rewarding day to see a child return home that I initially met in Guatemala. I stand in awe of the combined efforts that come together to restore the health of a child.
Angel anticipates being back in the fields of Guatemala picking broccoli with his father on Tuesday. I look forward to seeing him again in January.
Jody Greenlee, RN
Health Care Coordinator
Board President
Children of the Americas
www.childrenoftheamericas.org
Health Care Coordinator
Board President
Children of the Americas
www.childrenoftheamericas.org
