The little Cuban girl Amanda Lemus Ortiz, whose story has touched thousands of people both inside and outside of Cuba, took her first steps this Sunday.
An emotional video shared on Facebook by activist Yamilka Laffita (Lara Crofs) captures the moment when, with her father Enmanuel Lemus cheering her on, the young girl took a few steps on the hospital bed where she is recovering from her fourth surgery since arriving in Spain in March of this year.
"When I met Mila Ortiz, the second time I saw her, I took the liberty of asking her why the girl didn't speak or walk. She explained that this was something the Cuban doctors no longer envisioned happening, due to the tremendous deterioration the girl was exposed to, primarily because of her condition. She told me it was something that might never happen," Laffita detailed.
"I hope all those doctors see this video today and realize that when there's a will, there's a way," added Lara, who has been a close witness to Amanda's progress and considers her "a goddaughter" gifted to her by life, stating that she draws "a lot of strength" from her.
"You can't imagine what it was like not to be able to look her in the eyes the first time I saw her because I was afraid I would break down right then and there. Today, witnessing her tremendous evolution is something indescribable," the activist emphasized emotionally, noting that the family's gratitude towards those who have supported this journey is immense.
A special thanks is directed to the Spanish doctors, whose dedication and commitment have never wavered.
"Thank you, thank you very much to everyone who, in one way or another, made this possible," he concluded.
In another post on Sunday, Lara stated that Amanda had continued to recover "at full speed," noting that she is eating, active, and may even qualify for a medical pass by the end of the year
Amanda has become a symbol of struggle and resilience amid a complex health situation in Cuba.
Her situation mobilized communities both inside and outside the country, who came together to offer support and solidarity. Over the past few months, her story has served as a reminder of the importance of cooperation and mutual support in challenging times.
From the initial challenges of her treatment to the recent signs of improvement, Amanda's progress has been closely followed by thousands who have found in her story a reason to believe in the power of solidarity.
Amanda's move to Spain was originally motivated by a serious liver disease that required an urgent liver transplant, a procedure that could not be performed in Cuba due to a lack of specialized medical resources, despite having a donor in this case, her father.
The seriousness of his condition and the need for advanced treatment prompted family, friends, and organizations to arrange for his transfer, which involved an intense fundraising campaign and a significant mobilization on social media.
However, a recent severe infection led to the little girl's latest hospitalization, as her health deteriorated due to this common complication in transplanted patients resulting from the immunosuppression required to prevent organ rejection.
This condition complicated her health and required intensive care to stabilize her, raising concern among her loved ones and the community that is closely following her recovery.
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