Joy, Progress and a Better Life for Franz and His Family

Franz loves drawing, superheroes and playing with toys that allow him to build and create. Going to elementary school and seeing his friends also make him happy. 

But Franz has a more complicated life than most of his classmates. He was born with an anorectal malformation and other conditions that make daily life a challenge. 

Doctors in his native Guatemala were unable to diagnose or treat him properly. His struggles included having to wear diapers and embarrassing accidents, which often meant leaving school early. A visit to Children’s National Hospital to meet with our Pediatric Colorectal & Pelvic Reconstruction team changed everything. Franz has since had four surgeries. “Knowing our son would get the specialized care he needed was a big joy,” says Rosa, Franz’s mother. “We immediately saw progress, and this was the first time we had hope that Franz might live a normal life.”

Franz met the challenges of surgery and has enjoyed his time at Children’s National. “He loves having his own room and the TV,” Rosa says. “He also enjoyed special relationships with the nurses who cared for him and gave him toys, attention and support.”

The family received financial assistance from the hospital to pay for Franz’s surgeries. Philanthropy helped cover medical supplies, including for his stoma, a surgical opening that allows for waste removal and means he no longer has to wear diapers. 

“We don’t have the words to describe how grateful we are,” Rosa says. “My son’s quality of life has improved so much. The people at Children’s National are like angels of hope.”