Natalie's Palate Venture

Hello everyone!! My name is Ana, and I am NICU Nurse based in San Antonio. In 2016 I came across a baby girl, who forever changed my life. Fast forward to 2018, my husband and I were blessed to adopt this baby girl, whose name is Natalie along with her twin. These twins have been with us since 2016. Prior to that I was Natalie’s primary day shift nurse in the NICU.

The first time I saw Natalie, you could honestly say, it was love at first sight. As a NICU nurse I have come across hundreds of babies, however, never have I felt the feeling I had with her. I instantly became very protective over her. The same day I met her, I was able to speak with her Neurologist who gave her a terminal prognosis and said she would not make it past 6 months old. At this point their biological mom was not active in her care. In June parental care was terminated by the courts. This baby needed a home. Her doctors said there was a high probability that she would not see, hear, or have any sort of mobility. Doctors wanted to place a tracheotomy and then find her foster placement. After hearing what the plan was for her care, I came home and prayed. I spoke with my husband at length about this baby who has stolen my heart. After more prayers and having more conversation, we decided that If Natalie was going to die, she was going to die in a home where she and her sister were loved. With the blessing from my work and CPS, we did what needed to be done to get licensed by Texas to be foster parents. This was a fast and tiring transition, we decided to take on these special girls in July 2016 and on August 2016 we brought Natalie home and in September 2016 we welcomed Nadia. They have been inseparable ever since.

While Natalie was in the hospital, I did everything in my power to keep her from having a tracheotomy. I told the doctors, CPS and foster agency I would do anything for this child, by any means. It got to a point where Natalie was urged to go home on hospice, but I only would contact them if it were necessary. Again, this decision, like many others came with a lot of resistance. We took her home with no hospice but private duty nursing. We have seen numerous specialists throughout the years. My response to people who question my motives: Doing what is right, is not always easy, and when God tells you to take care of his child, there may be hesitation, but you it. That is what my husband and I are doing.

Now in 2021, this little girl is the definition of Miracle baby. She has defied all odds. She not only is no longer terminal, but she is walking and doing everything doctors said she would not be able to do.  

They say caring for kids takes a village. With all our family has gone through, we have come across a time where we must now ask for your help. Our miracle baby has an amazing opportunity to go to a very intense feeding clinic in Baltimore called the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Unfortunately, Natalie’s insurance will not cover any of the cost. Pending on the type of program that we have her partake in, and not including the initial evaluation, the total cost is estimated to be $190,000. Along with the lodging, travel and meals, we are asking for your help to reach our goal of $200,000.

This is a huge goal, and we are very aware of what we are asking. Those of you who know me know I can be very prideful and not ask for help. This, however, is not for me. This is for Natalie. I promised I would do anything I could for her, which is what I am doing. Please if you can find it in your heart to support this precious baby’s journey, we would be so eternally grateful. She deserves eating with her sisters without the fear of choking. She deserves being able to go to school and eat with her friends. This little girl works so hard for everything that many of us take for granted. Please help her reach her feeding goal.

Thank you so much.

Much love, the Chavez family.