Sheila's Story

         Sheila (pronounced Shay-la) is 8 years old.  As often happens with children, Sheila broke the bone in her foot.  But as doesn't usually happen, the bone got infected.  Olivia, Sheila's mother, had no money to pay for medical care for her daughter, so Sheila's injury went untreated until Olivia brought Sheila to our free clinic at Bright Star. 
          The break had broken through the skin.  The skin in turn became infected.  Judy and Rachel cleaned and dressed the wound.  Sheila was given antibiotics and pain meds.

          Two days later, Sheila and her mother returned to the clinic to get the wound checked and re-dressed.  With her own money, Rachel bought a pair of crutches for Sheila.

          Two days later on their third visit to the clinic for a re-check, Judy found that Sheila was losing feeling in the bottom of her foot.  Judy then recognized that more extensive help was needed and insisted Sheila be taken to the hospital immediately.

          The school director, Miriam, and I took Sheila and her mother to St. Mary's Hospital.  The following morning surgery was performed on Sheila's foot.  Prognosis - good.
         The hospital applied gauze to Sheila's wound and the gauze stuck.  Sheila's mother returned to our clinic and asked for dressings that wouldn't stick to the wound.  She also asked for pain meds because the hospital did not provide them.  Both meds and dressings were given to Olivia.

          Miriam, her family, and a friend have paid for Sheila's hospital care.

Update! - November '09

Sheila's foot has healed, thanks to God's mercy, the care given to her in our clinic, and the medical care she received through donations of friends from the U.S..

Sheila looks pretty in her Sunday best.

Olivia (Sheila's mother) and Sheila met me at church.