Dr. Michael Ehrlich met Carlos Montoya in the orthopedics clinic at Rhode Island Hospital. Carlos, then 17 years old, had been born in Colombia with cerebral palsy. He was in a wheelchair. Though he had seen many other doctors in Colombia and the U.S. before meeting Dr. Ehrlich, none had been able to help him, and his family had been told he would never be able to stand or walk.

But Dr. Ehrlich thought he would be a good candidate for surgery using a combination of groundbreaking techniques he had modified and refined back in 1972 and which he’d used successfully for many other patients with similar conditions over the years. In addition, “Carlos had great intelligence and a very supportive family,” Dr. Ehrlich said, which was important, as this would be a long, ongoing – probably lifelong – process.

His legs were so badly bent, and the muscles and tendons so tight, Carlos couldn’t straighten them. Dr. Ehrlich did a full-day surgery to transfer tendons and muscles from the backs of his legs to the outside. He also did similar work on Carlos’ arm, so he’d be able to better keep his balance and support himself on a walker.

After being placed in a body cast and almost a year of physical therapy, Carlos was able to walk with a walker, which was a huge positive change for Carlos and his family. However, after so many years of Carlos’ inactivity, Dr. Ehrlich found that the prior surgery to release the muscles was not ultimately enough, so he did another surgery two years later, this time on Carlos’ leg bones, to help straighten them out. And today, at 20 years old, Carlos can walk several hundred feet with a walker or holding someone's hand, which has improved the quality of his life tremendously.

His sister Luisa says, “My brother Carlos is happier now, especially when he stands up and compares his height with some of my family members and sees that he is taller than they are. My family and I are very thankful to Dr. Ehrlich. He has done everything to make our dream come true. We never thought my brother was ever going to be so independent. We hope other families get the opportunity to find a lucky star to help their dream come true.”

Dr. Ehrlich’s says his medical relationship with Carlos will likely continue for life, because “that’s what Carlos needs”. He’s not only responsible for Carlos’ “After”, but rather will truly be a part of his After for many years to come.