There was a very touching situation with a three-year-old girl. She had been seen sitting in the dirt by the side of the road, and it was clear she couldn’t walk. A Nicaraguan friend of HCI, took her picture with his cell phone and then arranged for her to be brought to the clinic to see if we could help her.

It was clear that the child was very bright, with a beautiful smile, but she was not getting enough stimulation or opportunity to learn because her mother works all day. Unfortunately the little girl had a defect called spina bifida and would never walk. We were able to counsel the mother and connect her with resources in the country for handicapped kids. We also provided a stroller for the mother to make it easier for her to take the child with her. It’s children like this that keep me coming back.