Sightless

I met a young lady this last week.  15 years old and recently lost her vision.

She is HIV+.  Her immune system is badly damaged.  Unfortunately, she has not received the help she needs in a timely manner leaving her seriously compromised.

She has had cytomegalovirus – which attacks when a person’s immune system is not functioning.  This has left her blind. 

She was hospitalized for weeks with cryptococcal meningitis – a fungal infection in the brain that is very difficult to treat and also occurs when your immune system is depressed.

She is struggling with Pulmonary TB

and has no appetite so has experienced severe weight loss.

At 15 she should be giggling over the boy who paid attention to her in break, laughing with her friends, helping her mom make supper, etc.  Instead she can hardly leave her bed and is wasting away.

She is the reason we keep persevering in our health work at Seed of Hope.  She is the reason we will not give up the fight against HIV.  Someone has to bring her hope in her very dark world.  The chances of her regaining her sight are almost nil, but with treatment, she can regain health.  Praying that will happen for our new young friend.

*No names or photos are used in this story to protect identities.