Referenced by ABC-7 KVIA and El Paso Children’s Hospital
For the Starband team, we are often lucky enough to witness the incredible journeys our “Star Babies” take. But occasionally, a story comes along that is truly extraordinary. Today, we are sharing the journey of baby Giorgio, a “small but mighty” boy whose path to healing took him from El Paso, Texas, all the way to the arms of Pope Leo at the Vatican.
A Diagnosis and a Leap of Faith
Giorgio’s story began with a diagnosis of craniosynostosis, a condition where the sutures between the large skull bones fuse too early. For parents Christopher and his wife, the news was familiar but no less daunting, as their eldest son had also faced the same condition. Seeking the best possible care, they turned to Dr. David Yates, Medical Director of Cranial and Facial, and the specialized team at El Paso Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Yates is a proponent of a minimally invasive surgical approach that allows for quicker recovery and excellent developmental results. As Dr. Yates explained:
“The traditional surgery for this is you make an incision from ear to ear… these kids may have massive blood loss, and the results are not always great. But with the minimally invasive technique, it allows us to do this surgery earlier and achieve better cosmetic and functional outcomes.”
The Helmet Journey Begins
After surgery, Dr. Yates prescribed a post-operative cranial helmet to help guide growth and gently round out Giorgio’s head as he healed. The family worked with a certified orthotist in a collaborative, team-based approach with El Paso Children’s Hospital.
The Road to Rome
Just two weeks after Giorgio’s successful surgery at only two months old, the family considered a long-planned trip to Italy. Naturally, they were hesitant. Christopher recalls asking Dr. Yates if they should cancel. Dr. Yates simply smiled and encouraged them to go, noting that Giorgio wouldn’t need months of challenging recovery.
Protected with his Starlight PRO®, the specialized orthotic helmet used post-surgery to help mold the head into a natural shape, Giorgio headed to the Vatican during the Jubilee year.
A “Crowd-Surfing” Miracle
During a crowded papal audience, the family hoped for a glimpse of the Pope. As the crowd saw Christopher approaching with baby Giorgio, people moved aside. Giorgio was passed through the crowd. Christopher jokingly says he “crowd-surfed,” until he was placed directly into the hands of Pope Leo.
The resulting image, captured by official Vatican photographers, shows the Pope cradling Giorgio, who is wearing his Starlight PRO.
Celebrating Hope and Healing
Giorgio’s journey is a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do. Through the partnership of skilled surgeons like Dr. Yates, the dedicated staff at El Paso Children’s Hospital, and his orthotist, children like Giorgio continue to heal and thrive, even if that means an international trip to meet the Pope just weeks after surgery.
As Dr. Yates shared, there is always a reason to be optimistic:
“I think there is hope. There really is hope.”
