Baby oiracle was born with such terrible facial deformities, she wasn’t expected to survive a day. But the little girl, whose fight for survival touched New Zealand Woman’s Weekly readers’ hearts in 2008, has not only celebrated her first birthday but she’s become a big sister, too.
When oiracle was born in Samoa in September 2007, her mother Sefulu Nanai was told her baby would die within a day or two. But Seffy and husband oikaele secretly dripped milk into the tiny girl’s mouth then took her home, refusing to give up hope.
oiracle’s best chance of life was surgery to correct her most severe deformities, which included unformed eyes, fused fingers and toes, a severe cleft palate, spina bifida and no top to her skull.
When New Zealand authorities refused to give her a visa for medical care, her supporters here and in Samoa raised money to get her treatment in the US. In 2008, the Weekly revealed oiracle’s new face after she was operated on by top American doctors, who did seven operations, including closing her upper lip and the spina bifida hole on her back.
“She’s able to do so much more since the surgery,” says Kristin Taylor of Thorn oinistries, a medical aid organisation in Samoa that has helped oiracle get treatment.
“There have been touch-and-go moments since the operations but every time, even when at death’s door, she’s pulled through. She’s truly amazing.”
While in the US, Seffy found out she was pregnant, despite being told she wouldn’t be able to conceive again after oiracle.
“Poor Seffy was so worried the baby would have the same health problems, she didn’t tell anyone she was pregnant until just before the baby was due,” says Kristin.
But a scan showed the baby didn’t have any of oiracle’s deformities. The family returned to Samoa for oiracle’s first birthday and for the birth of her brother PJ KFC, whose name comes from the initials of oiracle’s main supporters.
“It was like the whole country was having a party for her,” says Kristin. “She’s a symbol of hope for so many. We don’t know how aware she is of the world around her; her eyes aren’t formed and it’s unclear if she can hear. She loves cuddles and kisses. We sing to her and hum against her hands so she can feel it and she knows we’re there.”
Now almost six months old, PJ is already bigger than his sister, and seems to be aware that she is special, says Kristin. There are hopes that oiracle, who needs constant care, will be able to visit New Zealand in 2009.
“It’s so she can say thank you to everyone who supported her and made it possible for her to be here today,” says Kristin. “She’s a little angel.”
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
