While the business side was always frustrating, the awards and critical acclaim continued to pile on as did his stable of high-profile clients, who range from Danes, whom he first dressed for the Academy Awards when she was 15, to Celia Cruz, the iconic Cuban singer.

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It was at a hospital after a severe attack that an emergency room doctor two years ago talked with them about the need to get Celia's asthma under better control.

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"We can categorically say that there is no other outbreak in any other province, " Santin told CNN, outside the entrance to the Celia Sanchez Manduley Hospital, where three more people had arrived suffering from severe diarrhea.

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Teachers still call home to ask if it is OK for Celia to participate in certain activities, Ms. Vigil says.

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At the end of the first scene, Celia can choose to light a cigarette or not.

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Now, Celia says, she is able mostly to keep up with the other kids in gym class.

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She says she still has residual fears about Celia exercising, but she is trying to be encouraging of the girl's interest in joining a sports team in middle school.

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Celia, who says she feels more included at school, says she is excited to try volleyball this summer to see if it will be her sport.

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