Angeleah (Angel) Toribio - Summer 2007

Angeleah (Angel) Toribio is almost two years old, yet she has been through quite a lot so far in her life. This sweet little girl from the Philippines was born with Apert syndrome, and she has undergone three surgeries so far to release pressure in her head and to separate her fingers and toes.

When Angel was first born, her father, Pol, and mother, Eva, did not know very much about Apert syndrome. When Pol did some research, he discovered Angel needed surgeries—a lot of them— to help separate her fingers and toes as well as help her mental development. And all of these cost money and a lot of it.

Enter a network of many miracle workers who helped bring Angel, Pol and Eva to Dallas for the surgeries. Everything was taken care of—visas, medical costs, flights and places to stay. Dr. Jeffrey Fearon, the director of the Craniofacial Center of the North Texas Hospital for Children at Medical City Dallas, performed the surgeries.

Now, little Angel is back in the Philippines with her family, including her new baby sister, Ashley. She has recovered nicely and is now wiggling all 10 fingers and all 10 toes. She loves to dance. She also has a wonderfully bright future ahead of her.

To find out more about Angel’s remarkable story, visit her web pages:

• www.apert.org/toribio

• http://helpbabyangel.blogspot.com

• http://angeltoribio.tripod.com

If you would like to share your story with CCA, please send an email to Annie Reeves at areeves@ccakids.com. If your story is chosen, with your permission, we will edit and publish it in the CCA newsletter, on the Web site or use it for public awareness programs. Not all stories will be selected.

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