Madeline is a 6-year-old indigenous girl from Guatemala who has never seen a doctor in her life. Her parents brought her to Wuqu’ Kawoq because she had difficulty breathing. After providing an ultrasound, the doctors in Guatemala diagnosed Madeline with congenital heart disease. She has a large hole in the membrane of her heart (known as an atrial septal defect) which will require open heart surgery to correct. Fortunately, the doctors believe that surgery should “completely correct her symptoms and allow her to lead a normal life.”
Madeline said she can’t wait to go home, see her friends, and return to school. Let’s get this young girl the medical care she deserves, and make her first trip to see the doctor a successful one!