Sofia

Meet Sofia

Sofia seemed to be a healthy baby when she was born in Santa Maria at Marian Hospital but then began having issues. She had been vomiting, not passing stools and her stomach was distended. At just 2 days old, she was transferred to Cottage Children’s Medical Center in Santa Barbara.  She had been diagnosed with a bowel obstruction.  She underwent two operations which included cutting out a section of her intestine and a portion of her colon.  Sofia’s scar across nearly all of her stomach houses a colostomy bag.

Sofia has a 2-year old sister that her parents returned home to every night. Her father was able to take paid family leave, but the payments are significantly delayed.  The expense of driving back and forth – over 120 miles a day – had been extremely hard on the family and took a toll on their vehicle.  During the heavy rains, mom and dad were unable to drive down to Cottage because the tires on their vehicle were bald and unsafe to drive under those conditions. 

Since receiving the referral from Cottage Health, Hearts Aligned has provided the family with a set of four new tires, gas and grocery cards. Mom was hoping to co-sleep with Sofia before they discovered her illness but that is not possible with her condition.

Sofia was recently discharged and is now at home.  The family continues to struggle with her care which includes changing a colostomy bag each and every day.  They need new brakes for their car, and continued support with gas and grocery cards for their family as they have not seen any money from paid family leave. Mom is also having a difficult time with the 2 littles ones so close in age. It is difficult to go out in public to grocery shop and run other errands for fear of Sofia getting an infection.

Hearts Aligned is working with this family to help them through these most difficult times.  We have made referrals to Mother’s Helpers and LEAP and Hearts Aligned staff was able to pick up and deliver items such as diapers, clothing and food to the family

Please help Sofia and other families by making a donation today.

Thank you for your support!

 

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