A Visit Could Save a Life

Sanrealie is an 11 years old girl from Tipalmis, a remote village of La Gonave. Stephanie, her mother, was 22 years old when she became pregnant with Sanrealie. Stephanie delivered at home after an uneventful pregnancy. Everything was fine, Stephanie was breastfeeding and caring for her lovely baby. However, 6 days after the delivery she noticed the color of the baby was changing; Sanrealie was becoming yellow and had some abnormal movements.

Stephanie then brought her urgently to the Wesleyan hospital where Doctors diagnosed a severe condition called; Kernicterus – a type of brain damage that can result from high levels of bilirubin in a baby’s blood. Sanrealie was admitted to the hospital for 26 days and then was referred to the mainland for better care. 

As Sanrealie grew up, Stephanie realized that her development was not normal and she was different from other children her age. Stephanie then brought the baby to many hospitals on the mainland and they explained to her that due to the Kernicterus, Sanrealie developed cerebral palsy. Stephanie was devastated to learn that Sanrealie probably would not be able to walk or speak.

Sanrealie’s case was presented to Carmy, one of For You Haiti’s patient coordinators, while he was visiting her village. Carmy then presented the case to the For You Haiti team and Sanrealie was accepted into the monthly sponsor program at For You Haiti about one year ago. 

On January 12 the For You Haiti team visited Sanrealie at home and found that she was really sick. She was having seizures and couldn’t sleep at night. The Medical Team decided that she should come urgently to the town for a check-up.

Sanrealie had acute malnutrition and seizures due to Cerebral Palsy. After getting cared for by our For You Haiti Team,  she’s on medication for seizures and taking Plumpy Nut for her malnutrition. We keep her at the For You Haiti care house for closer follow-up. She has been at The Care House for 1 week and we already see some progress.

Making home visits, emergency transports, and offering free lodging at The Care House helps to save the lives of children with special needs. For You Haiti could not do these without the support of The Seed.