Emergency Surgery for Sofia Victoria

My name is Sofia Victoria Rodríguez Joy. I was lucky enough to be born in beautiful San Miguel de Allende where the community has been full of so much love and excitement for my first three months of joyful life. My parents are so proud of me for being so strong and loving everyday that I’ve blessed them with letting them be my parents! I am extra special (besides being extra cute!) in that I was born with an extra chromosome (I have Down Syndrome).

My family and friends think I’m even more of a gift with my extra special genetics and can’t wait to see me grow up.

My mommy created this campaign upon the suggestion of a dear friend after we got some scary news. Many of my Down Syndrome brothers and sisters are born with challenges ranging from physical limitations to heart defects - but not me! I am very strong and my parents hearts have soared after I passed every exam with flying colors - not bad for starting out only 1.82 kilos! But last week we had to go to the nice hospital in Querétaro Teleton to make sure I didn’t have tiny baby cancer. And I don’t - phew! - but the nice doctors found something else.

I have a rare condition called Mesenteric Chylous Cyst which is basically a big tumor pushing on all the organs in my tummy! This is not related to Down Syndrome, I guess I’m just extra EXTRA special! Although I am not in pain and feeling just fine, the doctors told us they have to remove the cyst asap before it pushes on all my organs too much and hurts me more then they can fix me.

My doctors are the best and I’m not scared but they told my mom and dad the cyst is very very big and I am so very small that this surgery will be long and complicated and I will need special care before I can go home. I told my parents not to worry but there’s a chance I might not get to go home at all. I am brave and strong and planning to come home - in the meantime, I could use some help because my allowance is very small (im only three months old im not the best at chores!)

If you would like to help my family it will mean us a lot - my mommy says I have to sort mail when I get home but we will need more help then that to cover the costs of this next stage of our lives.

If you can help us, thank you so much! Most of all please send us your strength and love so I can come home soon and thank you in person!!