Thumbs Up For Clara

We welcome Clara’s parents as guest bloggers today to share her story.

The last year of Clara’s life has been largely defined by surgeries, hospitalizations, and castings intended (in the long run) to correct and improve her overall functioning and well being. In the short term, it has been a difficult and worry-filled period of challenges and hardships.

Clara was born in September 2013 with a rare anomaly. Her left elbow is fused and she has five of ten fingers, and no thumbs. Thankfully, modern medicine has presented her an opportunity to obtain improved motor skills and greater functionality. So, in November 2014 Clara underwent a transformative surgery known as Pollicization giving her right hand a thumb. After months of therapy and continued development, she continued to struggle with balance, motor skills, and independence; however, she has achieved a highly improved level of day-to-day functioning.

Unfortunately, that celebration was dampened when an additional examination revealed a marked decline in the level of unnatural curvature of her spine. In July 2015 Clara was diagnosed with Idiopathic Infantile Scoliosis. Without intervention, infantile scoliosis with curvature that exceeds 30 degrees tends to experience rapid deterioration. Complications from high levels of curvature can impact development and growth of organs like the lungs.

As a result, Clara began a process of intensive and prolonged therapy known as Mehta Casting, a specialized treatment intended to achieve correction of the curvature in early onset scoliosis. That process will put Clara’s torso (from hips to armpits) in a cast for a minimum of 12 months to ensure the best outcome possible. A year or more of immobility is a taxing process both emotionally and financially. A year or more of hospitalizations and anesthesia to re-cast her every 6-8 weeks is daunting. Thankfully, success (as measured by either delayed deterioration or even partial to complete correction of early onset scoliosis) is frequently achieved through mehta casting.

There are innumerable ways people have shown Clara their love and support throughout this process. One of these ways was the special cake Icing Smiles provided to her on her 2nd birthday. Clara’s birthday was a delightful celebration made most memorable by a cake from Icing Smiles. The organization goes above and beyond to bless children who face medical challenges. The cake for Clara was no exception. And while the cake itself was a blessing, greater yet were our child’s expressions of joy upon receiving such a beautiful cake.

We will of course remember all that Clara has been through on her journey, but we hope she remembers most of all how much other people care for and love her. This cake from Icing Smiles was a beautiful expression of others’ desire to bless children facing exceptional challenges in life. Thank you Icing Smiles and her “Sugar Angel” for their exceptional efforts to make Clara’s special day that much more delightful.

The wonderful and sweet Sugar Angel went above what was requested. We told her about our circus birthday theme for Clara’s party. She created a beautiful 2 tiered cake with circus animals, colors, and separate “popcorn” looking cupcakes. Communicating with her was both easy and enjoyable.

The cake from Icing Smiles was magical. It is a very special memory for a girl who has overcome physical and medical challenges over the last year. Their supporters are definitely “Baking a Difference.”

Clara’s circus themed dream cake was provided by Sugar Angel Melaney Barba of Woodbury, MN. We give a big thumbs-up to Melaney for bringing a big smile to Clara’s face. We also celebrate Clara with a big thumbs-up for all she has overcome and all she will conquer in the near future.

For more of Clara’s story, log in to Caringbridge here.