In November, 1998, a medical team consisting of people from Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, and Colorado discovered an 11 year old boy, Miguel Santelis, in Batey Altagracia, with congenital heart disease, probably a ventricular septal defect. They realized that his only hope for leading a normal life would be surgical correction. Therefore, on their return to the United States, arrangements were made with the cardiac surgical team in Portland, Maine, to carry out the repair. After several months delay in getting passports and visas it looks like everything is in place. Miguel, his mother, and Moises Sifren (Good Samaritan Hospital administrator and a translator) will fly from Santo Domingo to Portland, Maine via Continental Airlines on Monday, April 19, 1999. He will be seen by the cardiologist, Dr. Wade Hamilton, on Wednesday, April 21, 1999, have his heart catheterization on Thursday, April 22, 1999, and his surgery, by Dr. Reed Quinn, on Friday, April 23, 1999. All medical/surgical care and hospital care at the Maine Medical Center will be donated free of charge. The churches of Maine that are involved with the La Romana project are raising money to pay for his air fare and incidental expenses in Maine. Housing is being donated by Tom and Willo Wright of South Freeport, Maine. Part of the air fare was donated by Tom and Kim James of Portland who donated the travel vouchers they got from Continental Airlines when they were bumped from the flight from Portland to Newark on their trip to La Romana in January 1999. Anyone wishing to contribute to this project can send their checks to Penney Memorial Baptist Church, 35 Grove St., Augusta, Maine 04330. Mark the checks "for Miguel". We will keep you posted on Miguel's progress!!! |
MIGUEL |
Part One The Diagnosis |
Miguel's Story Continued |
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