Ismael, a 7-year-old patient from the Dominican Republic, was involved in a horrific car accident two years ago that left his airway passage damaged. Before the accident, he was completely healthy and active, but afterward, it was extremely difficult for him to eat, breathe, and communicate.

Ismael and his family learned about Operation Airway (OA) and The Benjamin Harry Peikin Foundation (BHPF) when his doctors put him in touch with Evelyn Zablah, our Mission Coordinator. During our November mission trip to the DR, we were able to see Ismael and perform a Tracheotomy.

Since then, his quality of life has dramatically improved as the stress on his airway diminished. The BHPF and OA were able to fly him and his mother to Boston this April to perform a surgery to make his trach smaller, with the ultimate goal of weaning him off of it entirely.

Ismael and his family are thrilled with the results of his surgeries so far and are incredibly hopeful for the day when his injuries will be in the past forever.

We look forward to seeing Ismael again soon during our November Dominican Republic mission!