Ana's Story: Isolated by her appearance, she yearned for a place in the world

The Los Angeles Times ^ | Sunday, April 5, 2009 | Thomas Curwen

[cold666pack]

LA Times staff writer Thomas Curwen met Ana Rodarte in December 2005 at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. Over the next 3 1/2 years, he conducted extensive interviews with her and her parents, and he and Ana engaged in an e-mail correspondence about living with neurofibromatosis.

Curwen and Times staff photographer Allen J. Schaben visited the Rodarte home in Riverside County nearly a dozen times for birthday parties, family gatherings and celebrations. They accompanied Ana to consultations with her doctors, and they observed three surgeries at Scripps aimed at restoring her facial features. * Isolated by her appearance, she yearned for a place in the world PART ONE: Isolated by her appearance,...

Times staff writer Paloma Esquivel served as interpreter during interviews with Ana's parents, Ismael and Margarita Rodarte.

Additional interviews were conducted with Ana's principal surgeons, Munish Batra and Michael Halls, and with Andrew Chang, Don Kikkawa, Lokesh Tantuwaya and James Tasto, doctors who participated in her treatment. Lori Varaich, administrator of Doctors Offering Charitable Services, a charitable organization that funded Ana's surgeries, provided assistance.

Also interviewed: Fran Vigil, a friend of the Rodarte family who contacted Batra on Ana's behalf, and Vicki Wiesen, a patient of Batra and Halls who became Ana's friend.

Information about neurofibromatosis was provided by Batra and Halls; Alice Gordon of the Children’s Tumor Foundation; and the following medical professionals at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles: J. Gordon McComb, division head of pediatric neurosurgery; Tena Rosser, a pediatric neurologist and co-director of the neurofibromatosis clinic; Linda Randolph, acting head of medical genetics; and Barbara Britt, nurse care manager for the neuro-oncology program.

Information about the naturalization ceremony where Ana became a U.S. citizen came from Frank Galvan, jury and naturalization manager, U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

[cold666pack]

Very inspiring story about a handful of San Diego-based doctors that ave truly made a big difference in the life of one young woman.

Think there are no angels in earth? These doctors remind me that there are still angels among us.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ana5-2009apr05,0,3418012.story

[kenavi]

The Society for Facial Reconstruction performed similar miracles for two people we knew in New York. But how cruel are many of us towards our disfigured brethren.

[Kimmers]

Fascinating....please post part 2 and I would appreciate a ping good post thank you

[DeLaine]

I can’t wait for part two

[Tax-chick]

What a determined young lady! And very interesting information about the condition from which she suffers. I’ll look forward to learning what the doctors are able to do for her.

[Daffynition]

I'll wait for things to get out of control.

[speekinout]

Definitely inspiring. Ping for Part 2, please?

[cold666pack]

Part Two of the story can be found here....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2223530/posts?page=1

thanks for reading.

[cold666pack]

Part Two of Ana’s Story can be found here....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2223530/posts?page=1

thanks for checking it out.

[cold666pack]

Part Two is up and can be accessed here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2223530/posts?page=1

[DeLaine]

Thank YOU for pointing me to it