MariaMaria didn't always look as she does now. She was born in a small mountain village in Durango, Central Mexico, with a double cleft lip and palate. Although her village was only reachable by foot or donkey. Word had reached her village that there was a group of American doctors coming to Mexicali to perform free surgery on people, born with these birth defects. Maria's father told her mother to take their little eight year old girl on the long journey while he stayed home to look after their other children. The surgical doctors realized, at once, that her case would require a commitment of several operations over a period of years to bring Maria to a near normal condition.
Maria did get the required operations and over the years has expressed her appreciation not only to us and our sponsors, but has given other children the gift of surgery by introducing them to CCSS. On some occasions she has brought them herself to San Diego or accompanied the child's parent.
While working in a factory in San Luis, Maria heard about a
coworker who had just given birth to a baby girl with a cleft
lip. She approached Luce Maria with a greeting she will never
forget.
"I know someone, who can provide free surgery for your daughter,
Valeria". It was difficult for Luce Maria to believe what
she was hearing. No one had ever told her that there was any possibility
of making her precious Valeria look normal. What a surprise when
Maria explained that she was living proof that CCSS was a
reality.
Maria made contact with us and within thirty days Valeria and her mother were in San Diego for the operation. From Valeria's birth her mother had always kept a blanket over her baby's face whenever they left home. Now there is never anything hiding beautiful little Valeria's face. Her mother is very grateful and proud of her daughter.
Maria is now in her twenties and happily married. Her daughter is not only beautiful, but a real charmer. Even with her motherly family duties, Maria continues to find people in need of surgery and offers them reassuring words, real hope, and the means to a bright future.
Because of people like Maria, we now have a virtual army of volunteers who know about CCSS and spread these words of hope to parents in many countries of the world.
