Barrios Ortiz Family Patient Referral

Start Date: Sep 17, 2014 12:00 AM
End Date: Jan 14, 2017 12:00 AM

The Barrios Ortiz family lives in the hills of La Yeguada, in the Coclé Province of Western Panama. Frigia (62) and Rufino (80) have 9 children. Ana Maria (21) and Clemente (26) both suffer from severe cerebral palsy and live at home. Ana Maria and Clemente attended a Global Brigades Medical/Dental Brigade in May 2014, hosted by SUNY New Paltz. After follow-up visits from the health team, GB Panama decided to work with the Barrios Ortiz family as a referral case.

Despite his 80 years, Rufino Barrios Ortiz still works on his farm every day to keep his family afloat. His wife, Frigia, spends her days caring for Ana Maria (21) and Clemente (26). Ana Maria has had cerebral palsy her whole life, and though she can sit and say hello, she cannot talk or walk. She has a pet squirrel and a pair of parrots that she always points out immediately whenever guests come to the home. Clemente has also suffered from cerebral palsy his whole life and can only lay and rest in his bed. He does not speak or walk. Both of the children suffer from seizures, sometimes up to 10 per night. The family’s house consists of metal walls and a dirt floor; they do not have electricity or lights.

Ana Maria and her mother, Frigia, share a bed, and Clemente has his own bed. Despite their illnesses and very poor quality mattresses, neither Ana Maria nor Clemente has a single bedsore. Doctor Fotini, GB Panama’s Medical/Dental program manager, was shocked and impressed by the great care and sacrifices made my Frigia for her children.

Ana Maria and Clemente do receive basic medications from the MINSA, the Panamanian Ministry of Health. Global Brigades Panama, with the partnership of SUNY New Paltz and all our medical/dental brigades, is currently working to improve their health from the home. We are fundraising toward the following items for the Barrios Ortiz family:

1. Solar powered lantern – With this Frigia will be able to comfort her children during their night seizures; currently they do not have any source of light during the night. (cost: $100)
2. 2 Mattress covers for Clemente – This will reduce the amount of stress on his body while he sleeps and also the amount of work his mom has to do to prevent bedsores. He needs two to have one for his crib which is outside on the patio, and one for his bed. (Cost: $70 each)
3. 2 mattresses for Frigia and Ana Maria – With new mattresses Frigia and Ana Maria can discard their old, poor quality mattress and each have their own bed. (Cost: $180 each)
4. Wheel chair for Ana Maria – With a wheel chair Ana Maria can move around the house and yard. This will also make bringing her to and from the health center much easier for her parents. (Cost: $350)
5. Global Brigades will also fundraise for the costs of transportation of these items, as well as follow-up visits. (Cost: $150)