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A Gift For Elyn
In March of 2005, our Medical Mission Team to the Dominican Republic treated an 11 year old boy named Elyn. Elyn had been diagnosed with a heart defect that would eventually claim his young life if surgical intervention was not possible. Elyn was born with Tatrology of Fallot, a congenital heart condition usually corrected at birth in this country. Elyn could not read or write and had never gone to school. He had been protected all of his life and spent most of his time at home, sitting in a sqatting position, which relieved the pressure on his heart. Elyn had never been able to run or play sports. In fact he did not even draw or color due to the pain in his fingertips from the lack of oxygen to his body. His fingernails were blue and his eyes bloodshot. Elyn had a huge hole in his heart. No one knew just how big that hole was until Dr. Neil Devejian, a world renowned pediatric cardiac surgeon from Albany Medical Center in Albany New York, operated on Elyn in November. " I do not know how this child has lived this long" said Dr. Devejian after operating on Elyn. He should not be alive.
Elyn was originally scheduled to come to Norfolk for his heart surgery. The day his medical records were received at Galilee we were told that the surgeon who had agreed to provide the surgery was no longer available. After many weeks of research, letters and phone calls to heart surgeons and medical centers across the country, Dr. Neil Devejian at Albany Medical Center responded. Dr. Devejian as it turns out was a member of the Rotary Club Gift of Life medical program. Gift of Life pays a one time fee of $10,000.00 which Albany Medical Center accepts as payment in full for all services rendered. All physician fees are donated.
Thanks to the help of the International Outreach committee here at Galilee, The Rotary Club Gift of Life program in New York, The Albany Medical Center, Dr. Neil Devejian, Angel Flight and The Ronald MacDonald House in Albany , Corizones Unidos Medical Center in Sato Domingo, and Karen Carroll, a missionary from the Episcopal church in Sarasota Florida, and many others Elyn is now healthy and recovering nicely. He is indeed a miracle and God has used this young boy to touch many lives in Albany, Virginia Beach and in Guerra.
On December the 15th, Elyn returned to his family in the Dominican Republic. Elyn ran for the first time on Saturday, December the 10th. Can you imagine the look on his parent's faces when they went to meet Elyn at the airport and their beloved son ran into their arms? To God be all the glory!
Pictured Below:
Elyn points to his scar from his life-giving surgery
Elyn poses with his family in the Dominican Republic
also, two photos of Elyn near US hospital
 
  Last Published: October 7, 2006 1:36 PM
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