Caleb's last chance for treatment

Hello. My name is Margarita Ortega, and I am Caleb's mother. Caleb is a baby who was deeply dreamed of and is profoundly loved.

Caleb suffers from severe plagiocephaly. As first-time parents, we carefully followed the advice of experts, the World Health Organization, and numerous online resources that emphasized the importance of having babies sleep on their backs to prevent sudden infant death syndrome.

What we did not know was that by doing what we believed was best for our child's safety, we inadvertently created an unintended consequence. Our inexperience and desire to protect our newborn led us to a situation we never anticipated.

Caleb developed severe plagiocephaly, a condition we hadn't heard of before. Initially, we didn't notice it because he seemed perfect to us. When we first took him to a general doctor, we were told that his head shape was normal. However, as the months passed, it became more noticeable. Realizing what was happening, we consulted a pediatric neurosurgeon who confirmed our suspicions and warned us about the serious consequences.

This was very difficult and painful for us as a family because we cannot afford the cranial remolding helmet treatment. The cost of a single helmet is over $3,000, and sometimes more than one is needed. Despite many tears and trying everything we could—making sure he doesn't sleep on his back, using massages, having him sleep on a lentil pillow, and even putting a pantyhose on his head—nothing has worked. The only treatment that can improve his condition is the cranial orthosis, better known as a cranial remolding helmet, to correct the plagiocephaly.

The urgency of Caleb's situation is critical because the upper limit for starting helmet therapy is 18 months, and Caleb is already 16 and a half months old. We are racing against time to act. We have had to postpone his appointments with the pediatric neurosurgeon twice due to a lack of resources for essential medical studies, including a scanner, medical fees, travel to the capital, and the cranial remolding helmet itself, which is the most expensive part. Additionally, frequent travel for helmet adjustments is necessary, as we live about 15 hours away from the only specialists in Colombia. Seeing Caleb like this fills us with sadness and depression, stemming from guilt and concern about the future consequences of severe plagiocephaly.

The consequences of Caleb's condition are not merely aesthetic, as many people might assume. The issues are significant and include psychomotor problems, maxillofacial issues, recurrent ear infections (otitis), coordination difficulties, and limited ability to engage in sports or occupations that require good manual skills. Already, Caleb is experiencing serious jaw problems, misaligned teeth (unusual for a baby), and some coordination challenges. These issues highlight the urgent need for treatment to prevent further complications.

I never imagined I would be in the position of asking for help under such desperate circumstances, but now I understand what I've often heard: a mother will do anything for her child. We pray to God for a miracle to gather the necessary funds so Caleb can receive his cranial remolding helmet as soon as possible. I don't know if you've ever had the chance to change someone's future, but with your help, you could change Caleb's, and we would be eternally grateful for your support. God bless