"When Briana and her mother emigrated from Peru three years ago, they hoped to find haven in this country, especially medical treatment to help the young girl manage a rare neurological disorder. That dream didn't play out at first. At multiple clinics in the South Bay, they encountered bureaucracy, limited options, and often frustrated medical staff who were unfamiliar with Landau Kleffner Syndrome, which impaired Briana's language and cognitive function."
"Kathia, who asked to withhold her full name to protect her family's privacy, said things seemed hopeless. I felt like I was dying, Kathia said in Spanish. My daughter was (hurting herself) in such a way that I felt like she was going to die from the strong blows that she gave herself. I felt like one of those was going to kill her. And I was already on the verge of collapse. I couldn't see my daughter like that anymore."
Briana and her mother emigrated from Peru seeking medical treatment for a rare neurological disorder. Multiple South Bay clinics offered bureaucratic, limited options and staff unfamiliar with Landau-Kleffner Syndrome. Prescribed medications produced severe side effects and failed to stop seizures and hyperactivity. The family became exhausted and hopeless as Briana harmed herself. A Bay Area Community Health clinic in East San Jose connected with the family and assigned clinical director Dr. Swetang Shah to oversee care. Staff tailored visits to Briana's abilities by adjusting appointment length and frequency, initially seeing her monthly and spacing visits when stable.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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