Marcelo’s Story

Marcelo Mugica is considered to many a miracle child. An in utero stroke, infantile spasms, and five brain surgeries have not stopped him from living a fulfilling life with a hopeful future. Doctors, therapists, family, friends, and especially his own determination, have been crucial in his ongoing recovery. There is still a long road ahead, but his future has never been brighter.

Marcelo, born on October of 2010, suffered a massive stroke during his final trimester of gestation, severely damaging his brain’s right hemisphere. At approximately 7 months of age, Marcelo began having seizures and was diagnosed with West Syndrome, also known as Infantile Spasms. Infantile Spasms is a complex and uncommon form of Epilepsy that affects infants in the first few years of life. The seizures/spasms associated with West Syndrome are extremely difficult to control and due to their timing, can have a debilitating impact on the brain’s development.

Marcelo underwent several medication treatments to control his seizures, but none were successful. At the tender age of one he underwent the most invasive type of brain surgery known as a hemispherectomy. A hemispherectomy is when one side of the brain is surgically disconnected from the rest of the brain so that seizures that originate in that hemisphere have nowhere to go. In Marcelo’s case it was the right side, thereby allowing his left side to function without any interruptions from the seizures. It was an extraordinary decision for a parent to make, but it was for all intents and purposes, his best chance for living a seizure free life. Friends, family, and people from all walks of life, united in prayers and supported Marcelo with donations to help him in his recovery.

Marcelo has lived completely seizure free after surgery. He takes no medication and has received hundreds of hours of therapy which has allowed him to regain mobility on the left side of his body which was affected by the stroke. Today Marcelo is able to do things that once were thought unimaginable. He can walk, talk, count, and even run, among many other things. The sky is truly the limit.

Project Marcelo is dedicated to give back one project at a time. The organization focuses on creating awareness of Infantile Spasms and helping children who suffer from debilitating neurological conditions.