Meet Sophia

Sophia’s mother, Maria Elena, was 41 when Sophia was born after years of infertility treatment. During the pregnancy, several problems were identified, and at birth, Sophia was given 10 days to live. Her neonatologist said she was the most difficult case seen in their country. At birth, both hands were connected to her face, she had a cleft palate, small ears and a small mouth, no jaw, and her tongue curled backwards.

Although the family lived in Costa Rica, Sophia’s father worked in Guatemala as a soccer coach. Because they had contacts in Guatemala, they brought Sophia to Obras Hospital for treatment, but were told they couldn’t help her because of the complexity of the surgery. That’s when Faith In Practice stepped in, and Sophia was able to receive the treatment she needed.

Sophia has undergone 15 surgeries in her short life. Drs. Apel and Peters first operated on Sophia in 2020. She was born with four fingers and no thumbs, and they were able to form a thumb from her left index finger.

She returned in 2023, but the procedure was postponed due to difficulty with intubation. Sophia then required another procedure to enhance the airway so that intubation would be safer for her next surgery. This year, the 795 Gill/Stehly/Freeman team repaired her right hand, again transposing the index finger into a thumb. Cindy Lindenthal, CRNA, shared that she has been thinking about Sophia for this entire year and was so relieved we could provide her help this year. Sophia was understandably apprehensive about another procedure, but all went well.

Dr. Apel plans another procedure to help straighten out her arm when we return in 2025. Her next procedure scheduled with Faith In Practice is this May to improve the condition of her ears. Sophia’s mother has so much love for her daughter and tirelessly works to ensure that she receives all the care possible to make her life more comfortable. Her father, Ronald, is a soccer coach in Athens, Greece, and they travel to visit him when possible.

Maria Elena stated that whenever she hears the word “No,” a door is opened, that God continues to open doors for Sophia. She wants to share her story so that others can understand the important work done by Faith In Practice and that others can get the help they need.

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