Friday, April 08, 2011
Charlotte, N.C. -- A 12-year-old Haitian girl who was flown in on a medical rescue mission to Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital is ready to return home after a three-month stay in the hospital. The Hemby team will celebrate her recovery with a send-off party on Friday, April 8 at 1:30 p.m.
The child, Raina, originally arrived to Hemby on January 4 with nearly full-body paralysis due to Guillain Barré syndrome – a serious disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the nervous system. “She was completely paralyzed from the eyes down by the time she got to us,” said Robert Johnson, MD, pediatric intensivist at Hemby Children’s Hospital. “She was unable to breathe on her own and needed a tracheostomy and other life-saving interventions immediately.”
Raina’s acute condition required her to remain in pediatric intensive care for several weeks, during which time the hospital made special arrangements to allow her mom to sleep in a guest room designed for families. Once Raina’s condition improved enough to move out to the general Hemby floor, Rain spent her remaining weeks in an extensive rehabilitation program specially customized for her by Presbyterian’s rehabilitation services.
“The lengths our hospital went to to ensure Raina’s complete recovery are humbling,” said Nora King, nurse manager, Hemby Children’s Hospital. “If Raina or her mom had a need – physical or otherwise – our team fixed it before they could even ask. Everyone’s commitment to and passion for healing this child regardless of her family’s ability to pay reinforces why I believe this place is so special.”
Raina will be discharged from Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital on Saturday. She’s now able to walk and talk on her own – an amazing turn of events from her near-death state just three months ago. Friday’s send-off party will provide an opportunity for Hemby staff to thank Raina for touching their hearts and for Raina to thank them for saving her life.
