​This past week we were able to get a few of our patients in for doctor visits.
First is 8 year old Fernando, from Ludo. After the normal vision test the doctor needed a more in depth study and ordered a CT of his eyes. It turns out Fernando has nystagmus: a condition in which eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements...making it difficult for vision and balance. He has had this condition since birth and Dr Miotto explained it could not be helped by surgery. Monday Fernando will have a follow up with Exilaser's pediatric specialist to be fitted for glasses to greatly improved his vision.
Next is Fernando's 9 year old sister Anita who also has vision problems from birth. The CT confirmed a loss in her field of vision. Anita is pictured wearing her new frames, awaiting delivery on her new lenses so she can have normal vision on Monday. Exilaser, as always, waived the fees for the vision tests.
Last is 13 year old Nayali, also from Ludo. She has had a hearing problem from birth and it was thought she may need new hearing aids. After a hearing test through our ENT, Dr. Diego Maldonado at Hospital Del Rio, it was decided to first try to re calibrate her old hearing aids before considering new ones.
Dr Diego ,as always, waived his fees!
Thanks to our loyal supporters and these generous doctors, the lives of three more children have been greatly improved.

First is young 5 year old Juan (whose sweet mother Mercedes does the cleaning of many expat homes). Juan's legs and feet were beginning to grow incorrectly....forcing him into a waddle like walk. A special brace was created (shown here on the outside of his clothes but to be worn inside) from his waist down to some orthopedic insoles. Hopefully this brace will do the trick and he will soon be running around like all his friends. To be on the safe side, we will have him examined by Dr Gustavo Ochoa, our orthopedic surgeon, as soon as possible.
Next is 12 year old Mateo from Ludo, a very small village about 45 minutes from Cuenca. Mateo was introduced to HKIE by the local priest Father Joseph and our neighbor Dina
Dina Lea Klotz
. He needed new lenses,, but upon the basic examination the doctor was concerned and performed a very complete ophthamologic exam. It turns out Mateo has Nistagmus, which causes his eyes to jump around making focusing very difficult. The doctor feels it is a condition from birth. Surgery can be an possible option if his special glasses do not do the trick, so at a later date we will get Mateo to see our doctors at Exilaser. In the meantime it is felt his new glasses, which he will receive next week, will do the trick.
He is shown here with his blanket donated by Dina and in his protective gear for the exam.
Both of these patients are works in progress and we will be there for both of them all the way.

This is 7 year old Dilan with his parents and with our pediatric surgeon Dra Muirkis.
Dilan was born with a defect in his "personal plumbing", making urinating very difficult for him. He was seen this week by Dra Muirkis who said he will need 2 if not three surgeries to correct this defect.
More information on his progress in future posts.
Thanks to Dra Muirkis for coming in special to examine Dilan, and to all our supporters, Dilan will soon perform normally and grow up without any problems in his genitals.
When he reaches adulthood, he will REALLY be thankful he received the surgeries he so desperately needed!Paragraph. Haz clic aquí para editar.

Right before the virus lockdown, Dr. Pablo Salamea Molina
performed his second surgery on 12 year old Angel. Angel was born with a severely misshapen ear and Dr Pablo is performing surgeries to correct the problem.
Also is young 4 year old Danny. Danny had life threatening nighttime seizures. HKIE has been providing medicines to both prevent the seizures and to help him sleep peacefully through the night.
Lastly is 2 1/2 year old Juan David who was born with congenital cataracts. After 2 surgeries, he now has his eyesight but requires special eye drops to prevent the glaucoma from returning.
Three children with families who send their deepest thanks to all the supporters of HKIE who make these life changes possible.