Sabrina Vallam Stem Cell Therapy in Turkey

Name: Sabrina Vallam

Residence: Brasov, United States

Procedure: Stem Cell Treatment for Autism

Treatment Country: Turkey

Clinic: Medical Park Hospitals Group in Istanbul, Turkey

Facilitator: PlacidWay

Life Before Treatment

My name is Lisa, and I'm Sabrina Vallam's mom. We live in Brasov, a small town in the United States. From the day Sabrina was born, I knew she was special. Her bright eyes would light up the room, but as she grew, I noticed she was different from other kids. When Sabrina turned two, she still wasn't talking like other children her age. She didn't point at things or make eye contact when we called her name. At birthday parties, instead of playing with other kids, she would sit in a corner, rocking back and forth. The day the doctor told us Sabrina had autism, my heart broke. I didn't know what to do or where to turn. Every day became a challenge - from simple things like getting dressed to bigger issues like communication. Mornings were the hardest. Sabrina would get upset over little things like the texture of her clothes or the sound of the toaster. She would have meltdowns that could last for hours. As a mom, watching your child struggle and not being able to help is the worst feeling in the world.

School was another challenge. Sabrina had trouble making friends and following instructions. The teachers tried their best, but they didn't have the tools to help her. I would often get calls to pick her up early because she was too overwhelmed. After years of different therapies and treatments that only helped a little, I felt stuck. We spent thousands of dollars on treatments that promised results but didn't deliver. I was tired of seeing my daughter struggle every day.

The Decision to Try Stem Cell Therapy

As Sabrina's mom, watching my child struggle with autism broke my heart every day. We tried many therapies here in Brasov, but nothing seemed to make the big difference we hoped for. I spent nights researching online, joining parent groups, and talking to doctors about what else we could do to help our daughter. One night, after Sabrina had a particularly hard day at school, I came across a story about stem cell therapy helping children with autism. I was curious but careful. I didn't want to chase false hope. So I dug deeper, reading medical articles and joining online groups where parents shared their experiences. That's how I first learned about Medical Park Hospitals Group in Istanbul, Turkey. What caught my eye was how many good stories parents shared about their children's improvements after treatment there. They talked about better eye contact, more words, and fewer meltdowns.

Financial Decision

The treatment cost of $11,000 was definitely not small for our family. We compared it with other clinics in Europe and America, where similar treatments cost $15,000 to $30,000. The Medical Park option seemed more affordable while still having good reviews.

We talked with our family doctor who was honest, he wasn't sure if it would work, but the safety reports looked good. We also video-called with doctors at Medical Park Hospitals Group. They answered all our questions without pushing us to decide quickly, which I really appreciated.

The Treatment Experience

When we finally arrived at Medical Park Hospitals Group in Istanbul, I was nervous but hopeful. The doctors explained everything in words I could understand. They told me stem cells are like tiny helpers that can repair damaged parts in the body. For my sweet Sabrina, these helpers would work on the parts of her brain affected by autism. The actual procedure wasn't scary at all. First, they took some of Sabrina's own cells from her hip area. This was done while she was comfortable and sedated. Then the doctors processed these cells in their lab and gave them back to her through an IV in her arm. The whole thing took about four hours, but Sabrina was relaxed the whole time.

The Medical Team

I can't say enough good things about the doctors at Medical Park. Dr. Kemal (the head doctor) spent almost an hour with us before the procedure, answering all my questions. He didn't rush or use fancy medical words I couldn't understand. The nurses were kind and gentle with Sabrina, always speaking softly and respecting her sensory needs. The hospital itself was much nicer than I expected - clean, modern, and comfortable. It didn't feel cold or scary like some hospitals back home. 

The Changes I've Seen

When we returned home to Brasov after Sabrina's stem cell treatment at Medical Park Hospitals Group in Istanbul, I wasn't sure what to expect. We had spent $11,000 and traveled all the way to Turkey, hoping this treatment would help my daughter's autism. The doctors told us changes would come slowly, but I needed to be patient. Within the first month, I noticed Sabrina was making more eye contact. Before, she would look away when talking to people. Now, she looks right at me when we speak. Her teacher also mentioned that Sabrina was joining group activities more often instead of playing alone. The biggest change came about three months after treatment. Sabrina started using more words and even small sentences! Before, she would point or use just one or two words to tell me what she wanted. Now she says things like "Mom, I want juice please" or "Look at my drawing.".

What Life Looks Like Now

It's been six months since our trip to Turkey, and life feels different in so many good ways. Sabrina still has autism, but many of her challenges are easier now. She sleeps better at night, which means I sleep better too! Her meltdowns happen less often, and when they do, they don't last as long.  The treatment wasn't a miracle cure – autism doesn't work that way. But it opened doors that seemed locked before. Every small step forward feels like climbing a mountain, and I'm so proud of how far Sabrina has come.

My Advice for Other Parents

If you're thinking about stem cell treatment for your child, here's what I wish someone had told me: Do your homework first. I spent months researching before choosing Medical Park Hospitals Group in Istanbul. I read everything I could find and joined online groups to talk with other parents who had been there. Set realistic hopes. Stem cell therapy isn't magic. It won't "cure" autism overnight. But for us, it helped reduce some symptoms and improved Sabrina's quality of life in ways that matter.

Still Finding Support

PlacidWay made our journey so much easier. They connected us directly with Medical Park Hospitals in Turkey, helped with all our paperwork. Having someone guide us through the process in a country we'd never visited before took a huge weight off my shoulders. They also helped us find affordable accommodation near the hospital.