Specialized Care for Fabiola

Every day, Reyna spent hours feeding her little girl by hand, praying that the next bite would not make her choke. Fabiola was born with cerebral palsy and because of this, she was especially vulnerable to malnutrition from an early age. In rural El Salvador, that means a life of struggle. Feeding her baby was slow and difficult and challenged Reyna’s patience.

As a single mother, Reyna has always done everything in her power to care for her child. But raising a medically complex infant with no specialized care and no help, Reyna could not properly care for her baby and as a result, Fabiola became dangerously malnourished.

Reyna felt helpless. She worried that there were no options for her baby.

She turned to members of her community who connected her with Advance and Materna Foundation. Reyna received a Materna Kit, including a manual breast pump, nipple shields, and an infant hygiene kit, along with education in infant nutrition and maternal health. These tools and trainings gave her the knowledge and confidence to better support Fabiola’s growth and care. This critical assistance and specialized support, built for families in rural areas facing complex medical needs, gave Reyna a path forward. For Fabiola and Reyna, that was the beginning of real hope.

Fabiola received professional feeding therapy tailored specifically to her condition. Reyna learned how to support her baby in new ways and continue her care at home. For the first time, she felt confident that Fabiola could continue growing stronger. Materna’s support lifted a huge weight from her shoulders, reminding her that she was not alone.

“Fabiola gives me strength,” Reyna shared as she watched her daughter smile during a therapy session. “I care for her the best I can, even when things get hard. This support has made it so much easier.”

Today, Fabiola continues to gain strength and radiate joy each day. Her story is a powerful reminder that specialized care can reach the most remote corners of the world, and that behind every milestone is the compassion of people who care. For families facing impossible medical needs, your gift is a lifeline that moves them into a healthier, more hopeful future