Bruno's Story
Bruno and his twin sister Ivanna live in Mexico City, Mexico. The story below has been translated from Spanish.
I have been asked to tell the story of my son, Bruno, to share it and to send a ray of hope to those who have the fortune and blessing of having a baby with cleft lip and palate.
There are things in life that we don’t understand that require much digestion. Bruno’s birth was one of these unexpected things – at first it was very painful for us.
Today I can say that if I was able to go back in time and change something in respect to my son, I would chose to live exactly the same, I wouldn’t change anything. I only shelter in myself, besides an immense love for my family, an eternal thankfulness to God and to each and every one of the people that has played a role in my son’s treatment. The road traveled has not been easy, but I am sure that it has been right; it couldn’t be any other way – and when I look at Bruno now I can’t believe that he is the same baby with the incomplete smile, who today offers a beautiful smile, spontaneously, at every moment.
Ivanna and Bruno at three months.
Ivanna and Bruno – three years old.
There’s still a ways to go, however, it’s less difficult when we count on the help of people that offer love, understanding, and compassion and the help of institutions like the National Institute of Pediatrics and the Cleft Palate Foundation.
“Of My Hand You Go!”
Bruno Luis:
It’s incredible to see the
Ways in which God
Has used you to manifest Himself and
Show us his greatness and
Infinite goodness.
At the beginning I thought that I had
Been mistaken, that
I wouldn’t have the strength to
Confront your situation;
However, that 29th of December,
The day of your birth,
I awaited my twins with
The greatest excitement; of course,
In a way there had already been a miracle…
I had carried in my womb
Two babies, this was not
An everyday thing, waiting for your
Arrival was something magical.
The suffering of almost nine
Months, had been worth the trouble,
Finally I would have you in my
Arms and this was where everything
Began.
Suddenly a vortex of
Thoughts came to my head
When I first looked at your
Face. Your weeping was like
You…very strong, but a
Part of your little lips
Was not there, something was missing
I had seen cases like
Yours that had never been repaired
And I asked myself, “What
Happens to children that
Have cleft lip and
Palate?”
At first I crumbled,
I became sad, I became infuriated and
I wondered what I was going
To do with you. Where would
I start? And it was in this
Moment that God extended
His right hand and said, “Of my
Hand you go.”
Since that moment I have
Held fast to God with all
My strength and we,
Your father (who is a great
Man), your sisters, Romina
And Ivanna, you and I, together have
Overcome a thousand battles.
God is marking the
Path to follow and is providing
All of the people you
Need to help you.
There is still
A ways to go. But
Today I have
The confidence that God
Gives us his hand, and
We will have it eternally.
I will love you forever, son.
-Aydé Camacho
I wrote these thoughts when Bruno was undergoing the first of his surgeries.
I want to specially mention the doctors: América Ayuso Arce (Master in Craniofacial Anomalies) and Araceli Pérez Gonzalez (Plastic Surgeon from the National Institute of Pediatrics) – magic comes from their hands and with this they have brought the most beautiful smiles to Bruno’s face. We hold them in a very special place in our hearts.
Last Updated: Sep 7, 2007