2024 - Mónica Santamaría Narváez
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Monica’s Story: A Journey of Courage, Hope, and Transformation
Meet Mónica Santamaría Narváez, a brave 12-year-old girl from Nicaragua whose story embodies the transformative power of hope and generosity. Born with severe Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis, Monica faced a staggering 127+ degree spinal curve that not only caused significant pain but also threatened her dream of a normal, active life.
At just six years old, Monica’s parents began noticing the curvature in her spine. Despite their tireless search for solutions in Nicaragua, bracing proved ineffective, and her condition worsened. Monica’s pain increased, yet her strength and determination never wavered. A passionate lover of the ocean with dreams of becoming a marine biologist, Monica longed for the day she could swim freely without pain.
Thanks to the unwavering support of her parents and the generosity of the Kennedy family, Monica’s dream became a reality through the SpineHope program. After a month of Halo Gravity Traction and a successful corrective scoliosis surgery on November 14, 2024, at Ascension Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas, Monica’s transformation is nothing short of miraculous.
Post-Surgery Joy and New Beginnings
At her one-month post-operative check-up with Dr. Matthew Geck at Texas Spine and Scoliosis, Monica received extraordinary news: she’s healing faster than expected, completely pain-free, and an incredible four inches taller! Monica’s resilience throughout her journey is inspiring. Despite the physical and emotional challenges, she remained a model student, maintaining academic excellence while dreaming of a brighter future. Her parents’ heartfelt plea for help reflects the depth of their love and their relentless pursuit of a solution for their daughter.
“We as parents struggled every day watching Monica in pain,” they shared. “But her courage and determination kept our hope alive. Thanks to God and the incredible SpineHope team, Monica’s dream of a pain-free life is coming true.”
A Community of Heroes
Monica’s incredible journey would not have been possible without the support of an amazing network of partners and donors. SpineHope extends heartfelt gratitude to the following organizations and individuals:
Medtronic for the donation of custom spinal implants
Ascension Dell Children’s Medical Center for providing a world-class surgical facility
Texas Spine and Scoliosis for expert surgical care
US Anesthesia Partners (USAP)for donated anesthesia services
ARA Diagnostic Imaging for providing detailed imaging
Globus/NuVasive for donated neuromonitoring services
Bee Caves Pediatrics for their compassionate care
The Kennedy Family for sponsoring Monica’s journey
Together, we have given Monica not just a straighter spine, but a brighter future filled with possibility.
Join Us in Transforming Lives
Monica’s story is just one of many that exemplify the profound impact of SpineHope. With your support, we can continue bringing hope and healing to children like Monica who face incredible odds.
Let’s create more stories of hope.
