Early Intervention for Children in Guatemala

During October and November of 2019, the Early Intervention Therapy program performed 176  therapies both at home and at ADISA. Also in October, two new children entered the program, both two years-of-age, referred by the healthcare program.

October was the last month of workshops for the year. Parents had the opportunity to express freely what they had learned throughout the year, celebrating their accomplishments and those of their children. 

In the final months of the year, ADISA organized its annual parents gathering as well as its annual Christmas celebration for the children participants of its programs. Early Intervention program participants and their parents attended both events.

This quarter, we would like to share Ángel’s story. He is a two-year-old-boy that has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. 

His mother had a normal pregnancy but there were complications at the time of birth. Ángel had swallowed meconium and was hospitalized in two different hospitals because the first did not have an incubator. After 15 days, he was discharged. However, when he turned five-months-old, he still had no head control. Initially, his parents were not concerned but eventually, they brought him to the hospital because he had no strength in his neck. In the hospital, the doctors assured Ángel’s parents that this delay was due to the medications he had tacked and that little by little he would gain the necessary strength.

When Ángel turned one, he started having seizures and could not walk and at this time was referred to ADISA. Currently, at age two, Ángel is still not walking but can sit-up on his own and is working to overcome his language delay. We are hopeful that with continued therapies and interventions he can enjoy a better quality of life.