Meet Our New International Patient Ambassador, Carlota

Ranked among Mexico’s top 15 swimmers and now serving as the first International Patient Ambassador from Shriners Children’s Mexico, Carlota, 18, has transformed challenges into triumphs.

But her remarkable journey began with an uncertain start. Born three and a half months prematurely, Carlota’s early life was marked by significant obstacles. After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy with spastic hemiparesis affecting one side of her body, doctors painted a bleak future. But her mother, Carla, refused to accept their predictions.

A chance encounter led them to Shriners Children’s Mexico, marking the beginning of transformative care. Despite facing multiple surgeries to address a 4 3/4-inch leg length difference and ongoing mobility challenges, Carlota’s spirit remained unbroken. Through five surgeries and countless therapy sessions, the hospital became a cornerstone of support in her life. Carlota emphasized that it is not just the medical care that made all the difference, but the emotional support as well.

When joint pain threatened her athletic pursuits, she discovered swimming when she was 14 years old, training with the national Paralympic team. This new passion propelled her to become the fifth-best swimmer in her category (S6) in the Americas. Carlota’s athletic dreams remain strong as she sets her sights on the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Carlota is currently ranked No. 9 in the world and No. 3 in the Americas for her classification. In Carlota’s sport, American rankings include North, Central and South America rankings.

Carlota is also a college student pursuing a degree in psychology at Kuepa University online, with dreams of specializing in high-performance sports psychology.