Michael Moreno

Little Michael Evan Moreno is trying to get used to being at home.

Diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome at two days of age, Michael Moreno has spent many of his first 700 days here on Planet Earth hospitalized and recovering from two open heart surgeries, multiple catheterizations and other procedures at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.  His parents, Vianqui and Johnny Moreno explain that additional surgeries were required to help him survive a subsequent devastating brain infection, including insertion of a VP shunt in the left side of his brain, a Jejunal tube for his feeding, and most recently he was diagnosed with Hydrocephalous in the right front part of his brain, requiring open brain surgery (craniotomy).

Though it’s been a difficult and exhausting, with great courage Vianqui and Johnny have set aside their dreams to concentrate on Michael. “We had big plans when we first got married.  We wanted to finish college, start a home of our own…  I had to let go of my job I had for 11 years,” says Vianqui, “and my husband is now holding a new part-time job because he lost the first one he had because he was missing a lot of days from work.” 

While Michael’s heart and neurological devastation have taken a toll on their strength and financial resources, the Moreno’s   arduous journey has been helped along by wonderfully compassionate medical staff and their social worker, Erika Menzer.  Through her, the Morenos were able to apply to EKF for aid. The Erika Kate Foundation came alongside with financial assistance to help with rent, and, as Vianqui relates, “the EKF was a comfort and a life line.”

The road ahead still holds additional heart surgery and difficulty, but the Morenos are resolved in their care for Michael. “Our family has been very devoted to our faith and if it wasn’t for this I don’t see that we would be where we are now.  I firmly believe that God has a plan for each of us parents, in that He knows we are chosen to care for our children. That only makes me love him and care for him with all my might and love.  Most important, we are staying strong and together, and Michael is, little by little, adjusting to home life.”