Children’s Emergency Resources – CERI

Testimonies:

Hello, my name is Ayvi, I am Gardemia’s mother.
I am writing this letter to share the history of my daughter’s Gardemia: she was
born with a congenital malformation called spina bifida and hydrocephalus. And
she needed head surgery and I didn’t have the resources to do it.
Since I didn’t find any help in my own country. I made the decision to emigrate to
the United States. to seek for help for her to have a better life quality and a
better future.
Thanks to Nurse White, Rafaela Salgado, CERI and schools for all the help and support
they have given me and thank you because they still helping us.
Thank you to the school PWE and the School Health Nurse Myra White and
Rafaela Salgado
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Ayvi Villatoro Gomez

Gardemia is a 6-Year-old girl diagnosed with Chiari malformation II—also called
Classic CM, Spina Bifada, Hydrocephalus, Neurogenic Bladder, and Congenital
Varus Deformity of foot. Gardemia desperately needed head surgery for the
hydrocephalous and her mother did not have the resources to help her in
Guatemala. Mom came here a few years ago looking for help for help. She
received multiple surgeries, Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and External
Ventricular Drainage placement for severe hydrocephalus (10/2020) and
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt 10/14/2020. She is much better now and her
“head shrunk more than 50%”. Mom further comments that now that she is in
better health and she is very happy to go to school.
She attends Pinewood Elementary and is in a special needs class. She uses a special wheelchair
and requires a clean catheter procedure every 4 hours due to Neurogenic
bladder. I met with mom at her home to better understand the family’s needs.
Mom showed me how she performs the clean cath and all of the medical
supplies she needs for her care. I consulted with the physician to obtain orders
that can be followed at school. With moms help, staff orientation was provided
and training was provided.
Children’s Emergency Resources was able to purchase the supplies needed for this daily procedure. This lessened the financial burden for the family. The Department of Health School
Nurse also found a more convenient and less expensive supplier in town. They
agreed to become a CERI provider! This will allow a more sustainable option for
a lifetime of care for Gardemia. Her mother is very grateful and wrote the
enclosed thank you note which was translated by our Department of Health
School Health staff.

Student is 7 years old and attends a school in Martin County. Student had an accident on the playground, and Children’s Emergency Resources was introduced to her. We found out that she was in need of other services, not related to her accident at school. The student needed to see an Ophthalmologist and the Health Dpt. Nurse was able to get an emergency appointment
that same day. CERI funds were used for that visit. The ophthalmologist sent her
to the eye specialist ER in Miami that very same evening. The guardian then took her to Miami.
The guardian took Student to multiple follow ups in Miami. CERI was able to pay for the ER visit. CERI
also helped with the medication and I spent time with the family to help them understand the regiment and physician orders. Once she was released from the specialist in Miami she was then sent back to the ophthalmologist. CERI was able to help with the follow ups with the ophthalmologist. The
ophthalmologist prescribed glasses and again CERI helped with the glasses. CERI made it possible for this child to receive both emergency and specialist follow up care. With her School RN’s help, she was able to avoid further damage to her eye and even improve her vision (with glasses). Now she is able to attend school and learn with her peers.