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Jan 13, 2009 5:39 pm US/Eastern
Guatemalan Orphan Gets Medical Help In Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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The windshield of Sergio's eye is completely clouded over.
KDKA
Sergio Valaam is named after a Guatemalan saint. Part of his name also can be translated into the Mayan word for "jaguar."
This child may need all the blessings heaven can send - and the strength of that jungle animal to make it in this world.
Five months ago Sergio was abandoned in a wicker basket on the doorstep of the orphanage of San Rafael run by Orthodox nuns in Guatamala City. He was just a day old.
"Before, these mothers would give these children up for adoption," says Mother Inez, but a new law passed last year put adoptions into the hands of the government, and babies no longer can be adopted outside the country.
"So we have a little basket at the orphanage - which is a 150-year-old orphanage - and with a tradition of a little basket at the door," she explained.
Mission doctors believed that the child had a tumor destroying his right eye and that without quick intervention he will soon be permanently blind.
But at Allegheny General Hospital, Dr. Eric Happ, a specialist in orbital tumors, has a different but still very serious diagnosis – a rare hereditary cornea problem. The windshield of his eye is completely clouded over.
"Unfortunately, he has a developmental problem there, and it's a very difficult situation because it's not easy to fix," says Dr. Happ, but he also plans to consult with corneal and pediatric specialists in town to see what can be done - possibly a transplant.
"Luckily, the left eye looks normal and appears to react to light normally," he said.
Last night the child arrived at Pittsburgh International Airport with his guardians who are still overwhelmed by kindness.
"Such a big blessing - to do this thing is not easy and it has been so fast," reflected Mother Inez.
Last year, Demetria Pappas was part of a group from the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Mount Lebanon visiting the Guatemalan orphanage.
Saving Sergio's sight has become a personal mission.
"He was such a vibrant little baby. In my heart I was like, 'Why can't we just take him to America and have the surgery?'"
The women are determined that when Sergio returns to the orphanage he will be a little boy with two bright eyes.
If you would like to help, send your donations to:
Sergio Valaam Fund
c/o Holy Cross Philoptohos
123 Gilkeson Rd.
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15228
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