As I plan to return to Haiti in less than 2 weeks I was lead to read this story written by a former Notre Dame Academy religious studies teacher:
"Many years ago while ministering in Port Au Prince, Haiti, my friends and I wandered into a hidden room in the local hospital. Herein we discovered Haiti’s throw-away children lying still and mute in cage-like cribs. A single glance laid bare the rejected children, starving for food and affection. They ranged in age from infancy to ten years old, and they were alone, dirty, and wearing stained, filthy rags on a small portion of their bodies. They were rigid from lack of movement and their sounds were animal-like from a lack of communication. Large rats waited in prey in the corners of the room.
Never had I known a more pitiable place. One small baby moved each of us to tears. Her name was Immaculata and she was hydrocephalic. Her large head seemed five times greater than her petite frame, which was only a little more than bones. One could, however, detect a hint of a smile from the corner of her mouth, the only sign of hope in this devastating scene. I wept over Immaculata, much as I imagined Jesus wept over Jerusalem. As I begged God to have mercy on Immaculata, I imagined that if she lived in my city, adequate medical care would afford her both comfort and progress. Left here in this room, she would undoubtedly die. I prayed in utter desperation ---“please, please dear God, have mercy on this child.”
Years later, my godson Kyle was killed by an aggressive driver. He lived for 11 days and during that time, was cared for with incredible precision in the pediatric intensive care unit at a prominent hospital. Kyle fought hard for his life as medical personnel assisted him with every grace and technology known to humankind. Committed to honoring his memory, Kyle’s mom and I delivered a large teddy bear to every child in the unit that Christmas. As we walked through the halls, the coordinating nurse told us about a Haitian child in the unit whose name was “Immaculata”. I responded that I had once worked with a baby named Immaculata in Haiti, but that her situation was truly a hopeless one.
As we entered the very last room, a cheerful woman greeted us, calling me by name. She was obviously the child’s mother. Although I didn’t know her, she had recognized me from the publicity surrounding my work in Haiti. I looked into the bed and there was the unmistakable smile of baby Immaculata, now five years old. I was stunned into silence and awe. Here was Immaculata before my very eyes, in a hospital with all the love, affection and medical expertise I had begged God for so many years ago. A family that had seen the pictures from that long ago trip to Haiti went and found her. They had adopted her and she was living a mere twenty minutes from my home.
Why do I keep going back to Haiti? Because this is only one of the many experiences I have had that have entwined my life into the lives of the Haitian people and made all our lives better."
Written by Pam Reidy
I was blown away by this story and it literally brought to tears when I realize I am going to see this precious baby Kenny/Kenley, now 10lbs, and his beautiful mother DJenie. I love this picture because she has so much confidence! Becoming a mother at 15 doesn't make you a woman. But being loved, supported, educated and then making the right decisions for you and your baby make you a beautiful young woman Djenie! Can't wait to see your smile soon! (and hold that baby)!
Hi mama knew it was good to bring him back to Beth and Joanna (the midwives) who then brought him to Heartline Hospital to see Dr. Jen. Grace who is a wonderful nurse got an IV in the baby, bolused him with fluids while I mixed the antibiotics and found things. It brought back many memories of Kenny being sick which was scary but this baby seemed healthier, like we caught any infection he had at the time.
We made him a makeshift bed out of a rubbermaid box so he could lay out in the sun (more like a cloudy sky- unusual for Haiti) for some sun therapy- this helps get rid of the jaundice. I sat with him in the sun and gave him his second antibiotic. Then it started drizzling. When I got inside we decided to feed him since he was awake and smacking his lips. He seemed to want to eat but wasn't doing a very good job swallowing. His mama came back and I tried to have her breastfeed him but he was tired. I went home to take a nap and when I came back Grace said he seemed worse... lethargic and had just vomited some breast milk. This was really worrisome so Dr. Jen and Grace took the baby to Miami with his mama and Beth. The baby is now on a ventilator and being aggressively treated. We are praying he makes the night. It is so hard in Haiti to not have the ability to accurately diagnose with no labs... you really have to assess, reassess and go with your gut sometimes. Dr. Jen was right about moving him since he was decompensating in the car on the way to the hospital. We are praying for good news in the morning. Will you please join me and send out a prayer for this little one?
