My name is Stacy Salinas, and I am proud to be the mother of Isabelle alongside my loving husband, Francisco.

When I was about six months pregnant with Isabelle, I was referred to Driscoll's Maternal Fetal Medicine. What I first thought was a routine scan ended up changing my life. My care team informed me that my baby had several complications, including a scoliosis diagnosis, a missing left kidney, and a shortened ribcage on her left side. I was in complete shock, not having experienced anything like this during my full-term pregnancy with my son, Joaquin.

At one of many follow-up visits, they informed me that Isabelle was not growing or gaining weight. They suggested that it would be best for her to continue growing outside of the womb and within two days, I prematurely gave birth to my little angel.

I knew this journey was not going to be easy. Isabelle was going to need intensive medical care and plenty of special attention. As a mom, it's my job to advocate for my children to get the care they need. Above all else, I want Isabelle to feel and function like a normal kid.

After a few months of staying at home with Isabelle, it was time for me to return to work. I found an opportunity at Moody Clinic as a custodian and it has been yet another life-changing moment. Unaware of their full scope of services, I soon found that rehabilitative therapy would be the next best step for my 6-month-old baby girl. To help Isabelle reach her developmental goals, she will begin receiving rehabilitative therapy this fall.

We all have an ideal plan for our future and things don't always go as planned. Becoming a special needs mom and finding a home at Moody Clinic, however, was simply meant to be. Because my husband is often away for work, I would frequently lean on my family in Lyford, Texas. Now that I've found my place at Moody Clinic, I feel less alone. My family feels seen, supported, and cared for. Moody Clinic has a team of dedicated professionals who want to see children succeed, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of the Moody Clinic family.

Isabelle's journey is only just beginning, but thanks to her family's unwavering love and a strong support system at Moody Clinic, her future looks brighter than ever.

You can help give more families the strong start they need to lead happier, healthier lives by giving today!

- The Salinas Family

Annual Appeal 2025-2026