A Surgical Solution

Ten-year-old Consuelo was born with an inguinal hernia. As she got older, it got worse and began to limit her mobility. “When my hernia came out as a lump, I got worried. My hernia hurt and I cried a lot,” Consuelo said.

“We began to worry. We could see that she needed surgery,” added Maria, her mom.  

Consuelo’s parents could not afford an operation. Her dad, Hetzai, worked hard as a mechanic trying to save for the surgery she needed. Then one day a truck he was working on fell off the jack injuring Hetzai’s right hand and wrist. “It hurt a lot and I couldn’t move my hand,” he said. “From the moment I had the accident I was practically useless. The pain was frequent. Then it got worse. I couldn’t use the hand so I had to stop working.” 

Now that Consuelo and her dad both needed surgery, Maria was devastated. “Everything fell apart for me,” said Maria through the tears. “I thought, ‘What are we going to do?’”

Operation Blessing first met the family at a free medical outreach we set up in their community. We then arranged for Consuelo and her dad to receive the surgeries they both desperately needed! On the same day, surgeons repaired the damaged bones and ligaments in Hetzai’s wrist and hand, while another team fixed Consuelo’s hernia. Both surgeries were successful.  

“This changed my life. Now, I want to live again,” said Hetzai. He has been doing therapy to strengthen his hand and arm and now has been able to return to work.  

Meanwhile, Consuelo loves the freedom of being able to run and play without pain. “We both feel better. Thank you very much to Operation Blessing!" said the happy girl.