Sabrina and Briana laugh in the POPS department.
Sabrina and Briana are all smiles while they dance together.
Sabrina shows off her new prosthetic in the POPS department.
Twin Trials and Triumphs: A Survival Story of Two Sisters
Meet Sabrina.
It wasn’t until 13 weeks into her pregnancy that the surprise arrived – Luisa would be having twins.
Along with this potential good news came a wave of uncertainty. Her doctors identified serious complications: One baby had a congenital heart defect, while the other was dangerously underdeveloped. Even though the outlook was not good, everything possible was done to help both babies survive.
Sabrina and Briana were born prematurely at just 27 weeks, weighing only 2 pounds 6 ounces and 1 pound 4 ounces. The odds were not in their favor. Yet Briana, once thought least likely to survive, defied expectations. “She was like the miracle baby,” Luisa said.
Sabrina’s journey would be far more complex. Born with a serious heart defect, Sabrina underwent multiple procedures, including open-heart surgery. Sabrina later developed hydrocephalus, requiring a shunt, and was ultimately diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. When she was just 5 months old, she underwent amputation surgery after a blood clot cut off circulation to her right leg.
As Sabrina grew, her family searched for better ways to support her mobility and independence, particularly when it came to finding a prosthesis she could regularly and comfortably use. That search led them to Shriners Children’s Texas and its department of Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS). Now 9, Sabrina has unique needs that require specialty care.
She's very happy. I think it’s the best decision that I ever made. The experience has been more than amazing.
“Sabrina’s care requires a team approach,” prosthetist Hannah Zesiger, MS L/CPO, said. “One of the biggest benefits of being at Shriners Children’s is the ability to do this.”
At Shriners Children’s, that team included Zesiger, physical therapist Kelsey Ziegler, PT, DPT, Ph.D., and music therapist Angie Espinoza, MT-BC, NMT, all working together to support Sabrina physically and emotionally. While Zesiger designed and fit a custom hip-disarticulation-style prosthesis, Ziegler helped Sabrina safely test and adapt to it. They also added music therapy with Espinoza to keep her engaged during long sessions. All this eventually led to an impromptu dance session with her twin sister, Brianna, when they put the device to the ultimate test.
“She's very happy,” Luisa said with a smile. “I think it’s the best decision that I ever made. The experience has been more than amazing.”
The goal moving forward is more independence for Sabrina. Care providers are helping Sabrina work toward standing independently at home, allowing her to engage in everyday activities and enjoy improved health from being able to stand. Through it all, Sabrina remains a joyful child who loves to spend time with her twin sister. As Briana puts it, they love to “dance, sing and do art” together.
Next Steps
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