A Brave Lady

Written by Doctor Junior Etienne. 

Sherline’s story begins with her infinite effort to take care of her first child, Podolsky, who was born with a very difficult heart congenital malformation and continues with the hope that she never stopped carrying for her second baby boy, who she was expecting, to be born healthy.

Life has not been easy for Sherline. Her first pregnancy was a premature stillborn baby and the second one, Podolsky, was born in immediate need of heart surgery in Haiti, more precisely at La Gonave– a very bad prognostic as no hospitals in all of Haiti do heart surgery! I mean none!  This is when For You Haiti met Sherline and, thanks to our partner organization, Chain of Hope, we sent Podolsky and Sherline to have heart surgery in Barcelona, Spain. 

At 28 years old, Sherline is still fighting to finish secondary school while working and taking care of Podolsky and was now expecting a second child. 

I had the honor to work as Sherline’s Doctor for her prenatal care for this pregnancy. My first question for her in our first prenatal consultation was: “How are you feeling about being pregnant, Sherline? “Well, I’m scared Doc!” she understandably admitted.

Well, thanks to ‘The Seed’, our medical team efforts, regular prenatal consultation and follow-ups, after 36 weeks and 4 days Sherline delivered a very healthy, little baby boy! Upon his arrival, all her fear disappeared. She got her healthy boy! A baby brother to Podolsky.  

Our prenatal program has become SO important to the island of La Gonave. We thank you for your monthly contribution to the women and babies from the forgotten island.