STORY FEATURE: LATIN AMERICA
Psychosocial Support in Costa Rica: Cleft & Beyond
Thiago* is a two-year-old boy from the small town of Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica. Thiago lives with his parents and older brother, Simon. He was born with a cleft lip and palate causing him to have hearing and communication problems. TF’s partner in Costa Rica, Asociación LPH, has helped Thiago and his family look positively to the future.
When Mariana, Thiago’s mother, learned through her regular checkups that her soon-arriving son would be born with a cleft she became immediately worried about what it would mean for his future. Marian recalls,
“I went to my first ultrasound with the anticipation that every mother has to see their baby for the first time. Then, the doctor told me he was going to be born with a condition… I left the office crying, thinking that this tiny baby would have to go through a lot during his life.”
Thiago's father has struggled with substance abuse, a destabilizing force for the whole family. Through LPH’s psychosocial support, they all can now see improvement despite the long journey toward Thiago’s full rehabilitation!
Mariana is fully-invested in Thiago’s treatment plan with the ultimate goal of Thiago living a happy life where he can communicate and be understood by everyone around him.