Success! We are changing a life.

Five months ago, Andebet, 17, came to the clinic looking for the visiting knee specialists he'd heard about. He explained that nobody knew what was wrong with him, but he is deformed, and getting worse. 

Though his spine seemed fine, I decided to do a careful exam, I found that he has 13 fingers (7+6), and knees that go out and backwards at 45 degree angles, like kickstands. 

I consulted geneticists, and we decided that he likely has a deformity caused by a genetic condition called, Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome.

I posted his case on DocMatter, a 1000-member, invitation only forum for experienced pediatric orthopedics, of which I am a member. I learned that many of these kids can’t walk, so the fact that he can waddle was a good sign.

I approached colleagues from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital at the Spine meetings in Montreal, and they agreed to consider his case. Through the years we have established a good relationship with the staff at TSRH.  They have done 6 surgeries on 3 of my adopted kids. Recently he was accepted by TSRH for treatment which can take up to six months.

Next step: find an Amharic-speaking host family. I consulted Yared Kidane, an Ethiopian data scientist in the genetics department of TSRH. Through the Dallas Ethiopian Christian community Yared found a couple, Hana and Sentayehu, who welcomed Andebet. 

Next step: Obtain a US visa for Andebet. I prepared a careful, 4-page letter listing 11 patients I have sent to America in the past decade.  The file contained full names, passport details, and medical descriptions.  For each patient I compiled several pages of before-and-after photos.  We drilled Andebet: "You are going to Dallas, Texas to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital." 

On Tuesday morning, February 4 we walked up to the visa counter. The consul, who worked without a translator, asked Andebet in Amharic, "Why are you going to the United States?" and, "Where are you going?"  I introduced myself and produced my letter of request, the hospital's letter stating that Andebet had been accepted for free care, the notarized invitation letter from the host family, along with their drivers licenses, passports, and tax returns proving they had the means to provide housing for Andebet during his time in Dallas. 

The consul looked at this for a few minutes, then looked up and said "Doctor, thank you for all this information. Due to the humanitarian nature, we will look into this and get back to you." I was nervous all day and all night.  In my mind, I came up with a Plan B and Plan C. 

The next morning Andebet received a phone call from the embassy telling him that he should show up that afternoon to pick up the passport and visa. 

We will fly out of Ethiopia immediately, the weekend of February 8.  One week from our appointment at the US Embassy we will be in Dallas in time for our Wednesday morning appointment at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.

Without surgery, which is difficult, complex, and expensive, Andebet would have hands which hardly work, and lose the ability to walk.  With success, by the end of the year Andebet will have a new life. 

Thanks,
Rick Hodes, MD