Darlin Abagail

End Date: Sep 18, 2012 12:00 AM

In May 2012, Emory University conducted a Medical Brigade in Chichicaste, Honduras. During their brigade, a Global Brigades physician made a house visit for a patient that was unable to make it to the brigade site herself. In the home, the physician found a young 17-year girl, who was completely immobile yet still smiling brightly. The patient’s name is Darlin Abagail.

Since the brigade, the Patient Referral team has visited Darlin and her family in their home to obtain more information regarding her medical condition. Darlin suffers from West Syndrome, which is caused by organic brain dysfunction and leads to spasms, convulsions, and development regression- both mental and physical. During our in-home consultation, we learned that Darlin spends all day in a hammock, as she is unable to walk on her own. She also requires full assistance to eat, go to the bathroom, and get changed. Her mother, Erin, is unable to work because taking care of her daughter is a full-time job.

West Syndrome is very difficult to treat and often causes permanent brain damage due to spasms that occur in infancy. Our hope is to get Darlin a wheelchair, so that she may move around more freely, and medication that she needs to subdue the manifestations of the syndrome (such as spasms, convulsions, irregular bowel movements etc). The estimated cost to buy a wheelchair in Honduras is around $170. We are striving to reach this fundraising goal OR receive a DONATED WHEELCHAIR that can be brought down to Honduras with a staff member or student group.

UPDATE!
Recently, through the dedicated efforts of Julie Ronecker, a former Global Brigader from Elon University, the Patient Referral Team received a donated wheelchair. On 17 September, the team was able to deliver this to Darlin at her home in Chichicaste. An extremely happy family watched her settle into a wheelchair for the first time. Although Darlin cannot speak, she can certainly laugh, and her emotion was apparent as we took her for her first ride. Global Brigades is very grateful for everyone\\\'s support, especially Julie Ronecker. On behalf of Darlin and her family, we thank you!