Have you heard of VACTERL-H? It is a rare genetic disorder that some babies are born with. (Please read up on it).
That is what Baby Rosina was diagnosed with when she was just a few months old. She had a spinal defect, cardiac problem, limb deformation and fluid in her skull.
In April 2018, I found Baby Rosina and her mother waiting for me at my home, aa relative of hers had told her about my works with disabled children. She shared with me her despair of her babies condition as she had just been told by the doctors, that the baby had a ‘hole’ in her heart. A few months earlier the doctors had, had to drain fluid from the baby’s swelling head.
Devasting news for a young mother of four, who earns her livelihood from peasant farming and lives over 400 kilometres from the hospital that her baby had been referred to.
The best I could offer her, spontaneously, was moral support by way of escorting her to hospital, as she had to pick up medicine every month; and to be able to converse with the doctors so that she had a clearer picture of what the baby Rosina’ s condition was.
On sharing Baby Rosina’s story, some friends offered financial support to ease her transport costs as she had to travel to and from Choma, a town that is over 400 km from Lusaka.
Eight months on, despite the reported progress of Baby’s condition, the hospital visits continue on a monthly basis. The challenge remains in sustaining the financial support.
I will keep you all updated on her progress.
Best wishes, Joy.
The Joy of Giving 