{
  "id": 13270602,
  "title": "Baby Jose returns to Alberta nearly 30 years after life-saving surgery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/baby-jose-returns-to-alberta-nearly-30-years-after-life-saving-surgery",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-10T00:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12097885/baby-jose-30-years-later/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nearly 30 years after a life-saving surgery, Baby Jose Moran Robles has returned to Edmonton, Canada, expressing gratitude to the city that helped him live a full and healthy life. Jose, born in Panama in 1996 with Down syndrome and a congenital heart condition called atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), underwent life-saving surgery when he was just 14-months-old.\n\nAVSD is a congenital heart condition where holes are present in the walls between the heart's chambers and abnormal formation of the valves. If left untreated, it can lead to pulmonary hypertension, heart rhythm abnormalities, or heart failure. The surgery was not available in Panama, so the Robles family turned to Inclusion Alberta, a disability advocacy organization, for assistance. Through their generosity and the support of Edmontonians, Jose and his family arrived in Canada in 1998, allowing him to have a healthy and independent life.\n\nNow 30 years old, Jose enjoys a full life full of activities such as making art, horseback riding, dancing, and drumming in a marching band. He has even represented Panama in the Para Central American Games. In 2020, Jose's family spoke to Global News about his achievements and the positive impact the surgery had on his life. They also shared their gratitude towards the people of Edmonton and the medical team who helped Jose.\n\nJose's mother, Sadia, expressed her happiness to see him again and expressed her love for him. Dr. Ivan Rebeyka, the lead surgeon who performed the surgery, also expressed his joy at seeing Jose and the positive impact the city had on his life. Despite some remaining barriers for people with disabilities, the Robles family and the Edmonton community are grateful for the progress made and are excited to continue their relationship in the future.",
  "summary": "In the late 1990s, Inclusion Alberta helped a baby named Jose Robles get from Panama to Edmonton for life-saving heart surgery and now, the family has returned to say thank you.",
  "key_points": [
    "Baby Jose Moran Robles returns to Edmonton, Canada, after 30 years",
    "Jose born with Down syndrome and congenital heart condition AVSD",
    "Surgery unavailable in Panama, family seeks help from Inclusion Alberta"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The return of Baby Jose to Alberta underscores the lasting impact of the city's medical community and disability advocates on the lives of individuals with complex needs and their families.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}