Meet Graciela and Perla.
Last November, a gas tank valve malfunctioned inside their family’s home, and propane gas quickly filled the small house. There was a lit candle inside, and within seconds an explosion occurred, destroying the entire structure. Sisters Graciela, 3, and Perla, 7, suffered severe burn injuries, as did their mother. Their 2‑month‑old baby brother tragically did not survive.
The town is in a remote area where access to medical care is very limited. The girls’ father recruited neighbors to help transport the sisters and their mother, driving for hours to get to the closest hospital. After finally arriving at a hospital in Veracruz late that evening, doctors told the family to prepare for the worst, and the girls were not expected to survive.
Determined to find another option, the girls’ paternal aunt contacted the Michou y Mau Foundation, which quickly mobilized to assist the family. Despite the loss of all documents in the fire and many other logistical barriers, the girls were approved for transfer. Just seven days after the accident, Graciela and Perla arrived for care at Shriners Children’s Texas.
Both children were admitted to the hospital’s ICU, but Perla’s condition was especially critical. Her injuries were life-threatening, and she was sent next door to the partner hospital, the University of Texas Medical Branch. She was placed on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), a high-level life support system that allows the heart and lungs to rest and heal while the patient recovers.
They are both amazing little girls who have worked tremendously hard in their treatment journeys.
According to the girls’ nurse practitioner at Shriners Children's Texas, April McCarty, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CWON, “Although Perla’s burn injury was not as large as Graciela’s, Perla was on ECMO treatment for 7.5 weeks.” On Christmas Eve, Perla reached a major milestone when she was finally strong enough to be removed from ECMO, which became a special holiday gift for her family.
As part of their recovery, both girls were fitted with transparent facial orthoses (TFOs), clear, custom-fitted masks that apply gentle, consistent pressure to skin that is healing from burn injuries. Most importantly, this pressure applied from the TFO helps manage scarring.
Despite everything they’ve been through, the sisters’ personalities are a shining light in the facility. “Graciela is a social butterfly; she loves to talk to everyone throughout the hospital!” McCarty shared. “Perla has a gentle and sweet spirit; however, her strength and bravery shine through. She is the perfect balance for her sister Graciela. They are both amazing little girls who have worked tremendously hard in their treatment journeys.”
The sisters have an incredibly close bond, and their support for each other has been a big part of their healing process. When asked what her favorite thing to do is, Perla didn’t hesitate to answer. “Playing with my sister,” she said with a happy smile.
