Ti Nina

Earlier this year, I met Christina and fell utterly in love with this sweet little girl. Christina, like my youngest sister, has hydrocephalus; also like my sister, Christina was born in Haiti, a place where quality medical care is extremely hard to come by and where those with disabilities are looked at as cursed (if they're even looked at at all). Because Christina's family did not want a "cursed" child and the accompanying social stigma, they abandoned her at the Haitian Social Services office; shortly thereafter, Christina was taken to Notre Maison, the orphanage for children with special needs that is run by a dear family friend, Gertrude Bien-Aime. This is where I met Christina in February.

I was only at Notre Maison for 5 days, but it didn't take me long to learn Christina's story and decide that I wanted to help her. Left untreated, Christina would slowly die as the fluid gradually increased pressure on her brain. I decided, then, that I would do my best to find help for Christina in the States, hoping and praying that God would work out all of the details (particularly since I really had/have no clue how to go about this).

I returned to Haiti in March and was able to spend nearly 3 weeks with the kids at Notre Maison; though I sort of tried not to play favorites, it was pretty clear that Christina (Ti Nina) got quite a lot of my attention. (And look at her; how could she not?) :)

It was very hard for me to say goodbye to Ti Nina at the end of my trip; however, I came back to the States determined to do my best to find a neurosurgeon and a hospital to provide medical care for Christina. I sent letters to about 10 neurosurgeons within a 3-hour drive of where I live, hoping to find someone nearby to donate care. Tonight, I finally received a response; a doctor in Houston is willing to help as long as his hospital is also able to donate their services. Please pray for Christina and for everyone involved in making decisions on her behalf. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Edit: When the neurosurgeon in Houston looked at Christina's CT scans, he realized that Christina does not, in fact, have hydrocephalus as she was diagnosed in Haiti:

The fluid filled spaces of the brain are enlarged mainly due to a developmental anomaly called corpus callosal agenesis. This is benign from an intracranial pressure point of view, but can lead to delayed neurologic development.

So, good news for Christina; her condition is not life-threatening.  Since she does not need surgery, I am not able to bring her to the States at this time.  We'll see what the future holds...