The Support of a Team Behind Cristian

Cristian’s first experiences with healthcare caused his family to feel fear and distrust.

He was born in Bolivia with a cleft lip and palate. His parents, Teresa and Fabricio, were uncertain about the future. But one thing they did know – they would be along side their son every step of the way.

In Bolivia, Cristian accessed surgery, and it didn’t go as anticipated. Complications caused him to be admitted to the intensive care unit for over a month at a nearby hospital. It left Cristian and his parents with a deep-seated fear of hospitals. They discontinued care, while knowing he needed more.

The family decided to move to a community outside of Santiago, in Chile, for a better life. There, they found our local partner, Fundación Gantz. They were relieved to meet a team of caring professionals that provided the entire family with the courage to continue. It wasn’t easy to get to the centre, each visit would require a 2-hour commute. With concentrated appointments, it was more than worth it to Teresa and Fabricio.

This compassionate approach was a turning point for Cristian and his family.

The Fundación Gantz team knew that if Cristian was to receive his palate surgery, they had to keep Teresa and Fabricio fully informed and included in decisions about their son’s care.

Cristian received comprehensive care from psychologists, speech therapists, orthodontists, nurses, and surgeons.

Cristian’s speech and self-esteem have improved significantly, and he began to feel more confident at school, where he had faced bullying.

Now in fifth grade, Cristian is thriving. Teresa and Fabricio are immensely grateful for the support they’ve received:

“The most wonderful thing that has happened to us is to have found Gantz. They have shown great dedication and love to our son.”

Since 2024, Transforming Cleft (Formerly Transforming Faces) has partnered with dedicated Comprehensive Cleft Care centres in Bolivia to further access to ongoing care for children and families who need it most. Learn more about our partnership in Bolivia.

Shared decision-making is important in Comprehensive Cleft Care. It ensures that children and their families have a voice and are well-informed in important care decisions. Transforming Cleft (formerly known as Transforming Faces) is a founding member of the Circle of Cleft Professionals (CoCP), a global network dedicated to collaboration and learning among cleft professionals. If you’re a cleft professional or are a supporter interested in our innovation work, explore this webinar on shared decision-making and others like it.