For years, he bravely underwent chemotherapy and treatments in his home country of Venezuela, and at age 9, received surgery that freed him from the disease. Along with the gift of remission came lifelong challenges. Daniel required a femur prosthesis and faced the ongoing effects of his early illness, including a curved spine, hip misalignment and a 16-centimeter leg length discrepancy.
Larger limb length discrepancies could have a significant impact on your child's quality of life, especially if the difference is in the legs. Many children with leg length differences have a limp and difficulty walking or running. They can also develop hip, knee and back pain as they approach adulthood.
In August 2023, Daniel “El Piojo” and his mother, Johanna, arrived at Shriners Children’s Northern California with hope and determination. Referred through Shriners International fraternity chapters in Venezuela and Panama, they traveled more than 3,800 miles in search of specialized orthopedic care to improve Daniel’s quality of life. The orthopedic program at Shriners Children’s Northern California is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its Best Children’s Hospitals for Orthopedics rankings as one of the top programs in the nation Our clinicians treat a wide range of conditions, including spine deformities, scoliosis, cerebral palsy, hand and limb deformities, clubfoot and fractures.
What Johanna and Daniel found was a team ready to listen to their concerns and create a plan to achieve his goals. After the first visit with orthopedic surgeon Robert Randall, M.D., FACS, they knew they were in the right place.
Dr. Randall and the care team mapped out a personalized treatment plan. Daniel’s first surgery included replacing his femur prosthesis, adjusting his hip and lengthening his leg, all in one 12-hour procedure. A second surgery was planned to replace his knee, but after careful evaluation, the team chose to pursue physical therapy instead to strengthen the joint naturally. The exercises Johanna initially thought would be too difficult for Daniel became a challenge he was determined to conquer. “At Shriners Children’s, they have done things for Daniel that I was told couldn’t be done,” said Johanna. “I’m super grateful to the entire team."
Arriving at a foreign hospital is scary. But if you’re lucky enough to be at Shriners Children’s, you’ll find everything you need. Trust the healthcare professionals and focus on healing.
Therapy quickly became central to Daniel’s recovery. With three in-person sessions each week and a custom home exercise program, he began to regain mobility and confidence. One of his favorite physical therapists, Laura van Houtryve, not only guided him physically but also offered encouragement and kindness that helped Daniel stay motivated. “It’s not only the therapy,” said Johanna. “It’s how Laura nurtures Daniel with her patience and words.”
When Daniel received his new orthotic to address the remaining leg length difference, Johanna worried he might reject it. Instead, he reassured her with unexpected wisdom: “Your face is telling me that you don’t like it. Don’t worry, this is the way of not using crutches anymore.”
Spending over a year at the hospital has given Daniel a broader perspective. “When we got here and saw so many children with complex conditions,” Johanna said, “Daniel told me he felt like we had taken someone else’s place. But this experience has changed him. I know when we go back to Venezuela, he’ll return with a wider vision, more empathy and a deeper understanding of the world.”
Johanna hopes other families facing similar journeys find reassurance in their story. “Arriving at a foreign hospital is scary. But if you’re lucky enough to be at Shriners Children’s, you’ll find everything you need. Trust the healthcare professionals and focus on healing.”
And to the care team that changed her son’s life, Johanna said, “I won’t have enough time to thank you for the empathy you’ve shown Daniel and me. Thank you for always looking for solutions instead of excuses.”
Looking toward the future, a 20-year-old Daniel has a clear goal: he wants to become a computer engineer. His motivation is simple but powerful – to help his family live a better life. It’s a dream fueled by resilience and shaped by the life-changing experiences he’s had at Shriners Children’s.
Dr. Randall gives a thumbs up with Daniel before his surgery.
Daniel works during a physical therapy session.
Daniel gathers with two of his therapists.
Daniel and his mom, Johanna, attend Walk for Love, a hospital fundraising event.
