"Losing My Son Was Not an Option": The Story of a 3-Year-Old Who Traveled from the Bahamas to Colombia to Save His Life

Bucaramanga, Colombia, August 2025. It is difficult to imagine a 3-year-old with a brain aneurysm—and even harder to imagine that he would have to leave his home country to survive. This was the reality for Emmanuel Williamson, a young boy from the Bahamas, who was diagnosed with the condition after sustaining trauma from a serious accident. His case, highly unusual for his age, was a challenge that his mother, Daveana Anya Newton, decided to face head-on to keep her child alive.

“He was hit by a truck, and after testing, he was diagnosed with an aneurysm. I cried a lot because losing my son was not an option for me—and there was a chance that could happen if we didn’t get the help we needed,” she recalls.

With no access to the necessary medical technology in their hometown, the situation was critical. In the midst of desperation, a solution emerged: leave the country and travel to the Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) in Bucaramanga. Despite the uncertainty of going somewhere unfamiliar, this option offered the only chance to save Emmanuel’s life.

From the Bahamas to the Hospital Internacional de Colombia

Dr. Vladimir Rodríguez, the HIC neurosurgeon who treated the case, explains the uniqueness of the situation: “Brain aneurysms are dilations in the walls of arteries and are not typically seen in children. The incidence in the pediatric population is only about 3 to 6% of all brain aneurysms.” This low occurrence makes treatment particularly challenging, requiring both specialized expertise and state-of-the-art technology.

Unlike aneurysms in adults—which are often linked to factors such as hypertension and smoking—in children they are usually associated with congenital abnormalities or, as in Emmanuel’s case, trauma.

HIC treats approximately 60 patients with aneurysms each year, but only 2% are children. This rarity puts the hospital’s multidisciplinary team—including neurosurgeons, intensivists, and anesthesiologists—to the test. Emmanuel’s case marked the first time HIC treated an international pediatric patient with this condition, and once again, the outcome was successful.

About the Procedure

Given the rarity of aneurysms in children, determining the most appropriate procedure was complex. “We opted for an intra-arterial approach using a specialized stent, known as a flow diverter—a small mesh tube implanted to reinforce the arterial wall and ensure the aneurysm’s closure, thereby preventing future bleeding,” Dr. Rodríguez explains.

Emmanuel’s mother admits that she initially felt anxious about the possibility of another surgery but was greatly relieved to learn the procedure would not be as invasive as she feared.

Returning Home

Following the procedure and multiple medical evaluations, Daveana expressed joy and gratitude for her son’s recovery. “He’s made tremendous progress and is almost back to how he was before. We are so grateful,” she says.

Their experience in Colombia was so positive that, despite the distance, she does not rule out returning. “I take away wonderful memories: the warmth of the people, their kindness, the beautiful mountains I saw, and the hospital’s professionalism. I give it a 10 out of 10,” she concludes.

Emmanuel’s case sets an important precedent for pediatric aneurysm treatment in Colombia, proving that highly complex care is possible—and life-saving—even in the most challenging scenarios.

An International Office Serving All

HIC’s International Office plays a vital role, coordinating travel logistics, medical scheduling, and support for patients from abroad. Thanks to their assistance, Emmanuel and his mother received comprehensive care that made them feel safe despite being far from home. “I will remember the warm welcome they gave us. I will remember each of their faces—I’m not good with names, but I will remember their faces,” says Daveana.

This office serves as an essential bridge for those who need access to high-complexity treatments unavailable in their countries. With advanced technology and a highly skilled team, HIC demonstrates that distance is no obstacle to health—and that the environment can be a powerful factor in patient recovery.