Olivia got pregnant in high school. When she went to the government hospital to deliver the baby, they took her to the operating room for a Cesarean. She walked in under her own power, but has never walked since. She was given a spinal in the wrong place and is now a paraplegic. She had serious wounds on both buttocks from sitting in her wheel chair. By the time the sores were discovered they were large enough to hold a small mango!
Since the discovery of the sores in late January, Olivia has been in the hospital under nursing care, and went through surgery just a few weeks before our arrival in Uganda.
Brenna and I had been following Olivia's story even before we made our trip to Uganda, so we were very excited to meet this young lady and build a friendship with her. Knowing that Olivia has very little, we came with a gift for her, a couple of shirts and a pair of socks. I think she was very happy(:
After our second visit with Olivia at Al Shafa Modern Hospital where she had been recovering from her surgery, we learned that Olivia loves to draw and write. She had already filled up one journal that had been given to her by another team back in march. So, Brenna and I excitedly went to town to perches a couple of journals, and some pens for her. I wish you could have seen the beautiful hand writing this lady has!
On April 28th, just a day after we had visited and given the journals to Olivia, Papa Hunter took her to Kampala for a check up with her surgeon. They returned with the news that her wounds were healing so nicely that she could return home the very next day! So, on Wednesday in the late morning, we all piled into the van and headed to the hospital to take Olivia back home to her village with her mother and two year old son.
Mama Olivia (Olivia's mom) could not stop thanking people for loving and caring for her daughter. She was just SO excited. Nearly three months is a long time to be without the daughter you have cared for from the beginning and especially after she was paralyzed from the waist down.
In addition to the journals Brenna and I also got Olivia a smart phone that will connect to the internet, so that she would be able to stay connected with friends such as Papa Hunter and NGM, and also us!
It was so exciting to see Olivia reunited with her family, but it was so sad to say goodbye to her. I am looking forward to hearing updates from Olivia about the things God is doing in her life. Continue to pray for this girl and her complete recovery, as well as health, and her spiritual growth too.
God has been so good in Olivia's life, and I know he will continue to work in her and through her.
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