Grade schooler Paulina Liendo underwent surgery in February after doctors discovered a cyst on her spine
NEED TO KNOW
- An 8-year-old girl underwent spinal surgery to remove a cyst after two years of seizures and pain
- The girl was nervous to return to school because her head was shaved during surgery
- The girl’s classmates greeted her with cheers and hugs, and the heartwarming moment was caught on video
An 8-year-old girl got a heartwarming welcome back from her classmates after she underwent major spinal surgery — which included shaving her head — and the special moment was caught on video.
Paulina Liendo, a grade schooler in La Guaira, Venezuela, had been experiencing pain in her limbs and seizures for two years, according to news agency SWNS.
"Ever since she started having the unexplained seizures, we were seeing a lot of doctors,” her mother, Mariangel Pinto, 36, told the outlet.
"In March 2025, they noticed something was wrong with her spine, and at this point she was already dealing with pain in her legs and back,” she added.
Credit: SWNS
Doctors discovered the source of the problems — a cyst on Paulina’s spine. She underwent surgery to remove the cyst a year later, on Feb. 9.
The surgery was a success, and after over two months of recovering at home, Paulina decided she wanted to stop by school and see her friends.
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However, Paulina’s mother said her daughter was anxious about the impromptu visit, as the surgery required doctors to shave her head.
"Paulina was quite nervous and scared at first. She thought the children would reject her for not having her hair,” Mariangel explained.
Paulina made the trip to school despite her fears, and she was welcomed with open arms.
Credit: SWNS
Video of the moment shows Paulina’s classmates yelling in excitement when they saw her, then surrounding her with welcoming hugs.
“When she saw them, she was very happy,” Mariangel said.
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While Paulina can’t return to school full-time with her classmates just yet, she is doing well and looking forward to what’s ahead.
"It's amazing to see her in recovery now, and she's excited to grow her hair back,” Mariangel said.
