Luisa

Six-year-old Luisa is a quiet, hardworking student who loves learning. But for as long as her family can remember, something wasn't quite right with her thumb. She had never injured it, yet moving it was often uncomfortable. When Luisa was seen at the UNT Mobile Health Clinic, the medical team recommended she see a pediatric orthopedic specialist. For her family, who did not have health insurance, that recommendation brought both answers and new worries.

"At first, we didn't know what was wrong with her, and we were scared because we didn't know what was happening," her mom recalls. "Then, after they told us there was something that could help her, we felt relieved knowing there was a way to help us."

Finding that help, however, would not be easy.

"We have to find a way," her mother said. "We didn't want her finger to stay like that. We wanted her to be okay."

The Mobile Health Clinic's social worker stepped in immediately. "She came to my house, visited me, and helped me get in touch with Gill," Luisa's mom says. Through that connection, Gill Children's Services partnered with Cook Children's to help make the care Luisa needed possible. Together, they covered the cost of her orthopedic evaluation and X-rays.

The imaging revealed that Luisa had a fixed flexion deformity of her right thumb, also known as pediatric trigger thumb. An orthopedic specialist recommended a pulley release surgery to restore normal movement.

While her family finally had a diagnosis, they faced another difficult reality: paying for surgery.

"My husband and I were very stressed because he's the only one who works. I can help some, but we were definitely stressed."

Thanks to generous discounts from Cook Children's and the support of Gill Children's Services donors, Luisa's surgery became possible. Determined to do everything they could for their daughter, her parents also contributed toward the cost of her care.

Like many children, Luisa was frightened when she learned she would need surgery.

"At first, when they told her she needed surgery, she was scared. I told her, "Sweetie, your little finger is going to stay like that forever if you don't." After that, she felt better. She was very brave throughout the surgery."

Today, Luisa has fully recovered, and her mother says, "Today, Luisa's finger is like new."

For Luisa's family, access to specialty care meant more than successful surgery. It meant hope when they weren't sure where to turn. The support of compassionate partners and generous donors ensured that one little girl could heal, return to being a carefree six-year-old, and keep focusing on what she does best: learning and growing.