Bella Cavallo became the face of Bella’s Angels in September 2001. That day was filled with joy, emotion, and an unexpected sense of anxiety. Her family had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a healthy baby girl.
Bella was born at West Boca Medical Center. When she was delivered, the room did not erupt with joyful cries of “It’s a girl” or “She’s beautiful.” Instead, the delivery room fell silent. What felt like an eternity passed before they finally heard a faint whimper from Bella. She was immediately placed in a NICU incubator as the medical team began administering oxygen. A doctor with a heavy accent, speaking through a surgical mask, said something about Bella’s ears and mentioned that she would need to be taken to the NICU for further observation. Kerry urged Bella’s father Jeff to go with the baby, broke down in tears, and then lost consciousness.
She later woke to hear the doctor and Jeff speaking quietly behind the curtain. They explained that Bella had some physical irregularities, including low-set and asymmetrical ears, and that further testing was underway. Kerry finally saw Bella around 3:30 that afternoon as she was being taken for her first MRI and CT scan. By that time, Bella had already undergone an EEG, an EKG, genetic testing, and had an umbilical intravenous line placed. Early evaluations suggested a possible underdevelopment of the corpus callosum in her brain, along with several craniofacial abnormalities. Bella had her first physical therapy session at just one day old due to her body being extremely stiff and her inability to fully extend her arms and legs. She was also unable to swallow properly, which led to the insertion of a feeding tube. During her first month of life, Bella attended 19 appointments with a variety of specialists. It was far from the experience her parents had envisioned when dreaming of life with a newborn.
As anticipated, although without a confirmed diagnosis, Bella showed significant physical delays. She began early intervention at just two months of age, adding speech, feeding, physical, and occupational therapies to her daily routine. This is where her mother learned to become a knowledgeable advocate for her daughter. The family received encouragement and guidance from other parents raising children with special needs and from the devoted professionals who work with them every day. At 15 months old, Bella was enrolled in developmental day care at Easter Seals in Florida.
Bella’s journey has included a number of setbacks and numerous medical procedures. She has undergone 19 surgeries for a variety of medical issues, along with many difficult and complex treatments. Bella is profoundly deaf and received a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) when she was six and a half years old. She also relied on a feeding tube from the age of 13 months until it was finally removed in November 2013. While some members of Bella’s primary medical team are based in Florida, they also established a broader team in Boston. All major surgeries and procedures are now performed at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Over time, they have refined their care team to include a group of highly skilled and compassionate professionals who help guide them through important medical decisions. These doctors have watched Bella grow and have supported the family through many challenging moments. In February 2005, after years of uncertainty, Bella received an official diagnosis of CHARGE Syndrome. Genetic testing confirmed a mutation known to be associated with the condition, which affects only about one in every 10,000 to 12,000 births. Her family considers themselves incredibly fortunate to have Bella in their lives.
“We are so thankful to Bella’s Angels for giving us the ability to provide our daughter with the specialized care she urgently needed, no matter where we were living at the time. Bella’s quality of life has improved tremendously thanks to this support, which would have otherwise been beyond our reach.”
“Our journey with Bella has been very different from what we expected when she was born. She has opened our eyes to the beauty within and reminds us daily to slow down and embrace the moment. Bella is empathetic, compassionate, loving, and sweet. She enjoys the same things other girls enjoy and truly believes she is no different from anyone else. We are so grateful for that perspective and invite you to see life through Bella’s eyes.”
Bella’s Angels is incredibly proud of Bella, who was our very first Buddy. Today, Bella is 23 years old, working at Publix, and on track to complete her Associate of Arts degree this year. She serves as a role model for every child supported by Bella’s Angels. Though she still faces challenges, her journey is a powerful reminder that life itself is a journey.
