Haiti Orphan Rescue | Melissa’s Story

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Melissa’s Story

Melissa’s incredible journey as told by her adoptive mother, Lory Eger.

- See video links at the bottom of the page.

In 2003 Melissa was born in Haiti with a condition known as arthrogryposis (severe bilateral contractures of the hip, knee and foot). After two years her birthmother was no longer able to care for her, and in March of 2005 she placed Melissa on a towel in a flower garden. Miraculously she was discovered by a woman who named her Melissa (meaning “the honey bee”) and kept her for one night. The next day she was brought to a nearby orphanage and remained there for one year. Because of her condition Melissa was transferred to Holy Angels where they cared for disabled and handicapped children. Over the next two years, unable to use her legs, Melissa crawled around the dirt floor of the orphanage on her hands and knees.

In 2008 Melissa traveled to the US through an organization called Healing the Children. Doctors from Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD planned to treat her arthrogryposis over a series of orthopedic surgeries. Throughout the next year, the medical team performed five different surgeries (30 hours) to straighten Melissa’s lower extremities in hopes that she would be able to walk one day. During this time, we began the adoption process. This was not a hard decision for our family. We knew that Melissa needed years of surgery and a lifetime of physical therapy in order to walk independently. We also knew that we loved and cared for her so much that we would do anything to help this little girl reach her potential in life.

Melissa has had an amazing journey so far, and I know we are not even close to seeing what this little angel will accomplish in her future. Over the past one and a half years, she has mastered the English language, learned to read and write, undergone 5 major surgeries without a single complaint, powered through 200 hours of physical therapy, learned to take steps with a walker and has now moved on to walking with quad canes!!