Aranza

Eight-year-old Aranza is a bright, cheerful child with a love for dancing, playing at the park, and coloring. She enjoys learning math and science at Cesar Chavez Elementary, and her friendly nature makes her a joy to be around. Her mother, Noelia, is proud of how social and kind Aranza is.

Two years ago, a family gathering turned tragic when Aranza’s cousin, while playing with a BB gun, accidentally shot a stray bullet that struck Aranza in her left eye. She cried briefly but quickly went back to playing with her cousins. Noelia recalls, “Aranza seemed normal. We didn't notice anything different or unusual about her, so we thought it wasn't serious because we didn't see any swelling in her eye.”

Months later, Noelia began to notice that Aranza’s injured eye was crossing. Her teacher also observed that Aranza’s vision was worsening, and her grades started to decline. The school conducted a vision exam, provided her with eyeglasses, and referred her to an eye specialist. The diagnosis was devastating: a detached retina, requiring surgery to correct her vision.

“I felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown on me,” said Noelia. “I wasn’t expecting this news. Aranza's dad and I couldn’t sleep because we were worried about how we would pay for the medical bills.”

The impact on Aranza was more than just physical. She began to withdraw, avoiding the friends she had once enjoyed playing with. Her grades continued to suffer, and her self-esteem took a hit. Noelia shared, “Aranza's self-esteem dropped because her eye looked different. She would lock herself in her room when people asked her about it. She used to be very social, but after the accident, her self-esteem suffered significantly.”

That’s when Aranza’s family learned about Gill Children’s Services. “We didn’t know anyone else who could help us,” said Noelia. The team at Gill immediately sprang into action, negotiating discounted rates with the physician, hospital, and anesthesia group to ensure Aranza could receive the surgery she so urgently needed. Thanks to the generosity of Gill’s supporters, Aranza’s surgery was scheduled for the spring.

On the day of the surgery, Aranza’s joy was overwhelming. She told her mother, “This is the happiest day of my life.”

Since the surgery, Aranza has regained her confidence and is reconnecting with her social life. Her grades are improving, and her smile is brighter than ever. Noelia and her family are deeply grateful for the support they received from Gill Children’s Services. “Gill brought happiness back to our lives,” Noelia said.