"My daughter was born with vesicoureteral reflux. We never knew about this complication until the first infection occurred at six months of age. I took her to the Exequiel González Cortés Hospital, then to the urologist and then to MATER. Today my daughter Martina is 8 years old. Since then I have been coming for examinations and kinesiological therapies. At first I had to come more than once a week, then the number of sessions decreased and now we come every 3 weeks.

"I don't practice any religion, but I have always had a lot of faith. A lot of faith in God and in Catita, my daughter. She was born with bad kidneys and soon after she had to have one of them removed. Before her first birthday she had already been on a mechanical respirator eleven times. We feared the worst, but she always clung to life. How could we not have faith in her then?

My son knows he is carrying something of mine with him and he takes great care of it. I take my hat off to him, because he is very clear about his condition and the importance of following the medical and pharmacological treatment to the letter.

When a diagnosis of a complex and chronic disease is received, there is a significant change in the dynamics of a family. Our index patient will have new needs and the family group will be faced with new challenges every day.  

The Casa de Acogida is clearly a very important help for patients and families coming from the regions. Having a place to come to that is clean, safe and welcoming is invaluable. The moms and dads who have stayed at the house always tell me that this place is very helpful for them. Another key aspect is that through living together they can share experiences, knowledge and mutual support. That is very important: to realize that you are not alone. Everyone accompanies each other.