A mother's instinct can be very powerful. Emelda Osorio knew something was wrong with her newborn baby.

But for months doctors in her home country of Honduras couldn't find the problem

Finally, the baby was diagnosed with a bowel condition called Hirschsprung's disease. And thanks to a charitable organization called Operation Blessing, she was able to have life-saving care at Mayo Clinic.

"It was very painful for me to see her suffering."

Valeria Osorio was born in Honduras with a severe form of Hirshsprung's disease. Her bowels did not work

"She didn't have a bowel movement. She was throwing up."

For many months, doctors in Honduras could not help her. Valeria became gravely ill.

"I asked god if his wish was to take her with him."

In an attempt to save Valeria’s life, doctors there removed her colon so she could pass waste through a stoma, or hole, in her abdomen. But she was still very sick. Then, Emelda says a miracle happened. She found herself next to the first lady of Honduras at an event, and she told her about Valeria.

"She told me immediately, how can I help you?"

The first lady arranged for the director of a charity organization called operation blessing to contact Dr. Steven Adamson at Mayo Clinic.

"He said Steve, I need your help. We have a baby down here that's going to die."

Within days Valeria was in the operating room of Dr. Christopher Moir.

"Our job was to remove the disease and then do a reconstruction so she could lead a normal life."

During surgery Dr. Moir removed all of the remaining diseased intestine except for a small portion. Then he grafted that segment onto the healthy part of her intestine. The result is a system that allows Valeria to store waste and eliminate it normally.

And today, on Valeria’s first birthday, she's getting ready to go home to Honduras.

"I never thought it would be possible to be here."

Doctor Moir says Valeria will be able to eat anything she wants and should live a full life