Violet.

Violet is a 12 year old little girl being seen and cared for by Special Hope Network. She was born with hydrocephalus and a mass on the back of her head, now post surgical removal of the mass and shunt placement. Her tiny form was skeletal, but she was wearing a pink princess tutu when I met her, and her mother’s eyes were full of love and pride. She was the 5th or 6th child that I had seen that day, one of many children with disabilities, but hers were so pronounced - so severe. Violet’s eyes were permanently damaged from the surgery: one fixated towards the right and the other tracking inconsistently without focus. But her smile was beautiful – toothless grin that curved up whenever her mama spoke to her. I reached out to touch her little leg, and it equaled the size of two of my fingers stuck together. It was all I could do not to gasp audibly.

I was struck by the desperation of the situation, that this little girl had feeding difficulties so severe that she may not live to see her 13th birthday. I was surprised by this mother. In a world where her child would normally be hidden, where children and adults with disabilities are misunderstood and mistreated, this mother could not stop cooing and caressing her beautiful child. She was not only keeping this little girl alive somehow, she was loving her openly and seeking out knowledge to give her the best care she could offer. Many mothers who are coming for help with their children with disabilities are still struggling with acceptance and love for their child who has challenges they've never seen before. Not Violet's mama. I have never seen eyes fiercer with pride. And yet, the challenges this mother has to love and care for her baby, her princess, seem insurmountable.

And here I was spending 20 minutes with this child and her mother looking to change her life. I found myself desperately sharing strategies with her for feeding, communication and care as quickly as I could. And yet I knew it was not enough. But my heart welled with hope for this baby and her mama. For although this child would have greatly benefited from modern technology, consistent therapy and a higher level of medical care, this mother was the solution in my eyes – a single voice among a nation of scared and voiceless mothers, saying, “My daughter is beautiful just the way she is and I love her.”Special Hope Network is finding these children and these mothers and supporting them in their pursuit of love, care, and opportunities for their little ones with disabilities. Jake and I sponsor Violet, and I am so thankful that Special Hope Network is working hard to enable and empower her mama to take care of her, all the while providing her with a learning environment that is friendly and encouraging to little ones with special challenges.

The organization that I am a part of, CLASP International, allowed me to meet sweet Violet because they too are working hard to be a part of the solution. I feel privileged to be involved in these organizations, working together from different angles to be a Voice for the Voiceless in Zambia and all over the world.
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