LEAP/LANDMARK "Fund for Special Kids"
"Going the extra mile"

LANDMARK Structures, Inc., a Fort Worth/Canada-based company established the first fund especially for children whose condition is so severe, they must be brought to the U.S. for treatment.  Working with several Dallas hospitals, children with difficult conditions can now receive the care they need through this special funding.

Angel Santos, of Belize was the first recipient of the “Special Kids” funding with the cooperation of  Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. Twelve hours of surgery were required to repair Angel’s rare facial cleft. Expenses for his care at CMC were paid through the LANDMARK Fund.

Eighteen-month old Brenda Baez was brought to the 1998 LEAP Puerto Plata clinic by her anxious mother. Born with the facial deformity Treacher-Collins Syndrome, Brenda was born without ears, and with an underdeveloped jaw. Even though she had no ears, little Brenda demonstrated an ability to hear. It was this hope of enabling Brenda to hear that brought her mother, Rocina to see the LEAP doctors.

"Brenda just stole our hearts," said Dr Craig Hobar, founder and President of LEAP. "We knew the only hope she had of hearing would be in the U.S." A donation from a special LEAP supporter enabled Brenda and her mother to travel to the U.S. for the fitting of a special hearing device. Guests of Dr. Hobar and his wife, Robin, Brenda and her mother visited the Callier Center for Communication Disorders in Dallas, Texas. It was at the Callier Center Brenda was able to truly hear for the first time in her life.

"I wanted so much for Brenda to be able to speak well," Rocina said, "I knew she needed a hearing aid, but we have no money and didn't know where else to go." Wearing the hearing aid for only 30 minutes a day, little Brenda already hears more of the world around her than ever before.

"We don't have the resources to bring many children to the U.S. for the treatment they need," Dr. Hobar said recently, "but when we can, it is a joy for all of us."

In November 1993, a young woman came to the LEAP clinic in the Dominican Republic. As this shy pre-teenager entered the room full of mothers with babies born with facial deformities, the other mothers were frightened. "She's a freak," they whispered as LEAP nurses moved in to calm the situation. But such comments were commonplace to Ana Maria Hidalgo. She had heard them all her life. Such is the fate of someone born with neurofibromatosis, more commonly known as the "elephant man's disease".

In 1993, the LEAP surgeons removed the large tumors covering the right side of Ana Maria's face, but they knew the surgery would only be a temporary help. Ana would someday have to travel to the U.S. for a very complicated surgery to help restore her face to a more normal appearance.

Working with the national organization, "Heal the Children", LEAP arranged airfare from the Dominican Republic and a host family to care to Ana Maria during her three-week stay in Dallas. A team of 5 surgeons, and 2 anesthesiologists donated time and efforts during a 13 hour surgery to remove the large tumor which had attached itself to Ana's brain. After removing the tumor and Ana'a affected eye, Randy Trawnik created an artificial eye in the new socket created by oculo-plastic surgeon Dr. Grant Gilliland.

Ana is now going to school for the first time in her life. Her life is filled with friends and her personality has changed into one of a normal, bouncy teenager. Ana Maria Hidalgo is truly a blessing to all she meets.

Talia Alvarado, 3 months, was born with severe Aperts Syndrome. She has already lost the right eye due to the brain pushing against her skull. Talia is the next child scheduled to be brought to the U.S. for badly needed surgical care.

Hamlet de la Cruz, age 12, was born with a severely underdeveloped lower jaw. Hamlet must eat only foods his mother has liquefied for him. Jaw reconstruction surgery will be needed to allow Hamlet to enjoy normal foods.

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