Initially diagnosed with epilepsy, Gabriel's condition continued to worsen as he developed weakness on one side of his body and difficulty speaking.
Determined to find answers, his family traveled from Puerto Rico to Cincinnati Children’s, where specialists diagnosed him with Rasmussen encephalitis, a rare neurological disorder that causes severe seizures and progressive loss of brain function.
For Gabriel, the only life-saving treatment was a hemispherectomy surgery—a complex procedure that disconnected and effectively removed half of his brain from functioning. After surgery, he faced months of intensive speech, occupational and physical therapy to regain skills and adapt to life without seizures.
Today, Gabriel is seizure-free and thriving thanks to the expertise, innovation and compassionate care available at Cincinnati Children’s.
Stories like Gabriel’s are possible because of generous donors who help advance groundbreaking research, provide access to specialized equipment and therapies, and ensure children with the most complex neurological conditions receive world-class care. Philanthropic support fuels discoveries that improve outcomes for children facing life-threatening illnesses while giving families hope when they need it most.
Today, Gabriel proudly gives back by working at Cincinnati Children’s—the same hospital that transformed his future. His family remains deeply grateful for the care that changed their lives and hopes other children can experience the same opportunity.
"Cincinnati Children's for me is a miracle place," said Gabriel's mom, Carla. "We want other families to have the same experience that we had when we came 16 years ago."
(Published June 2026)
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