St. Andrew's puts hope and joy into children's lives

In January, five year old Angela Ruiz of Nogales, Sonora, looked down at her new legs, made especially for her because hers were severely deformed at birth. She smiled shyly as her orthotists at St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic lifted her to the floor.

Volunteers and visitors watched with bated breath as Angela inched her way across the floor. At first, her steps were barely perceptible. With support, she moved one leg at a time. After she had courageously traversed most of the small room, applause broke out and tears filled the eyes of everyone who had watched yet another miracle. The “Clinica of Love” is known for them.

2009 is the 36th year of the non-profit, non-denominational organization in Nogales, Ariz. Its mission is to provide free medical care to disabled and impoverished children from Mexico who have nowhere else to turn.

On a shoestring budget, the professional and lay volunteers serve from 200 to 250 children the first Thursday of each month. They are assisted by two Shriner’s Hospitals and a team of cleft palate surgeons from Minneapolis, Minn. They give these children a chance to live more normal lives.

Dr. Francisco Valencia, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, recommended the prosthesis for the girl who now scoots around the clinic with the aid of a small walker. As she gains balance and strength, Angela will be fitted with lifelike limbs so she can literally run in the footsteps of other kids who have received “legs” from St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic.

On March 5, she was playing with other children while holding on to her walker, sometimes letting go to prove she can do it with “no hands.” With a big smile on her face, Angela has found a better way of life.

For information and tours or to contribute to children like Angela, please call St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic at (520) 648-3242 or write to P.O. Box 67, Green Valley, AZ 85622.