When FAMA met Jacqueline in Puerto Vallarta in December of 2012, Jacqueline was five years old and her spinal curvature was at a forty-degree angle. Fabricio, her father, had been taking Jacqueline to the children’s hospital in Guadalajara where they had her wear a correction brace and committed to performing a much-needed surgery. However, after a full year taking her to the hospital in Guadalajara, Fabricio became frustrated and disillusioned because the surgery never came to fruition, and her curvature was increasing.

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FAMA decided to take Jacqueline’s case and secured an initial evaluation appointment for her on July 19, 2013 at Shriner’s Children’s hospital in Mexico City. FAMA paid all expenses for Jacqueline and Fabricio. Due to the severity of her scoliosis Jacqueline was accepted.

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Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Mexico agreed to pay all medical expenses, while FAMA pays for flights, hotels, and transportation to and from the hospital. The hospital scheduled Jacqueline for an extensive evaluation in October of 2013. The evaluation revealed that her curvature was now at a 65-degree angle. Her operation was scheduled for March 14, 2014.

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By the time of the surgery Jacqueline’s curvature had increased a 90-degree angle, and was causing pressure on her vital organs and chest. The doctors performed the surgery as scheduled and strategically placed adjustable titanium rods and screws to begin to correct her spinal curvature. After surgery Jacqueline’s curvature was at 44 degrees.

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Jacqueline had seven surgeries from 2014 to 2016, because unfortunately the titanium rods would loosen and start to come out of her skin. Jacqueline’s curvature was slowly increasing, so the doctors decided to try a spinal fusion. Jacqueline’s eighth surgery took place on September 24, 2017 where they fused the vertebrae together with individual rods and screws.

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The spinal fusion surgery has been successful thus far. Jacqueline has returned seven times for evaluations from February 8, 2018 to January 16, 2020, and the rods and screws remain in place.

 

Due to the severity of Jacqueline’s scoliosis, she will need to continue going to Shriner’s Children Hospital until the age of 18. If Jacqueline needs further assistance after the age of 18, she will be referred to doctors outside of Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

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Jacqueline’s father cannot afford to pay travel expenses, hotel, and transportation to continue the necessary treatments. FAMA has committed to continue to support the family. Please help our foundation continue to provide the best quality of life for Jacqueline.