Stefanya was an orphan that our Babyheart medical team operated on during our mission to Kharkiv, Ukraine in February, 2013. Stefanya has Down Syndrome and a severe congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot. In order to prevent her from suffering from heart failure, the Babyheart team performed a surgical repair to her congenital heart defect on February 6th.
Just months after the International Children’s Heart Foundation healed her heart, Stefanya was adopted by American, Brittany Newton. Today, Stefanya is with her new family! Stefanya’s caring mother recently took her for a check-up to make sure that Stefanya’s heart was recovering well. Here is a message from her new mom, Brittany, after their successful check up.
“Stefanya checked out great at the cardiologist today! They said the repair looks excellent and she is doing great! Oxygen level was fabulous and she doesn’t need another checkup for six months and after that, just a yearly check up on her heart! They said ICHF did an excellent job thanks again for all you guys do!”
Brittany said she found Stefanya through Reece’s Rainbow, a ministry that helps provide a way for families to find children with special needs who are available for, and desperately need, adopting.
“It was neat to get to tell them about ICHF,” Brittany continued, “and the life-saving work you guys do. Without the surgery she received she likely wouldn’t have made it until we got there to adopt her and bring her home. We are so deeply appreciative of what you have done for her. Surgery + adoption has truly given her a second chance at life.”
It is a fantastic thing to see the whole circle completed: An American team of doctors and nurses goes to Eastern Europe to operate on a child with down syndrome and a broken heart, now fixed and adopted by a loving family back in America!
