Mind & Body

Órfão chega no Texas para fazer uma cirurgia cardíaca Necessário

TEXAS, USA - Leonise Louima, a 10-year-old Haitian orphan, arrived in Austin Sunday evening after a long day of travel.

She will undergo heart surgery mid-week at Dell Children's Hospital.

Leonise Louima was born with patent ductus arteriosus or PDA. PDA happens when a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus fails to close normally in an infant soon after birth. The condition leads to abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery – two major vessels that carry blood from the heart.

"I feel good," said Leonise after she arrived. Her host mother, Yvrance Joseph Volcy, a Haitian native who moved to the United State 30 years ago, translated for her. Leonise speaks French. This was her first time on an airplane.

"I am going to be there for her," said Volcy, who is also hosting the girl's aunt during her brief stay.

Austin-based HeartGift Foundation is helping this third-grader get the life saving surgery she needs at Dell Children's Hospital. The foundation provides life-saving heart surgery to children from developing countries.

Leonise couldn't undergo this type of surgery in Haiti.

Leonise is from Gonave, about an hour drive from Port-au-Prince.

She herself is resilient, having lived through three hurricanes prior to that deadly earthquake.

She has also had to deal with the death of both her parents. Her father died in 2001; her mother died in 2005.

Volcy told KXAN she will sing to Leonise to help her feel at home.

"I will see Fara Jacka to her. All French children love that song. I will give her hugs too," Volcy explained.

Leonise is slated to undergo surgery on Wednesday at Dell Children's Hospital.

Artigo completo: KXAN