"Little Margarette" article run by Nashville news affiliate WKRN on Feb. 9, 2009.
Read about How Margarette came to Danita's Children.

April 18th, 2009
Two months after surgery

On April 18th, Margarette was able to attend the Artistry of Hope fundraiser for Danita's Children as she continues to recover in Nashville, Tennessee.

Margarette attended the event with her US "parents" Dr. Dave and Melody Snodgrass, and even sang a song with guest performer Matthew Perryman Jones!

As her vision continues to improve, we are very excited about what the future holds for Margarette, who now goes by "Maggie." The success of her initial surgery has been remarkable, and we are hopeful that her vision will soon be restored to an even greater degree.

Thanks to all of our friends and supporters who attended the event,
and made it a memorable evening for Maggie, and all of us.

For regular updates on Maggie and other kids at Danita's Children,
sign up for our e-mailing list on our homepage.

March 09, 2009
One month after surgery

One month after the surgery that changed her life, Margarette is recovering very well in Nashville under the care of Dr. David and Melody Snodgrass. She is attending school during the day, so as to not get behind during her recovery, and is very much enjoying it. She has asked to be called "Maggie P" and has recently experienced many new things, from her first snowfall to her first new bicycle. We are so thankful to God for his provision in "Maggie P"'s life, and to all those who have made this miracle possible, especially Dr. Dave and Melody who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to be host parents to Maggie during her recovery. We love you, Dave and Melody!

We will continue to update you as Maggie's recovery continues.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

(Above: Maggie's first experience with snow.
 Below: Dr. David Snodgrass, Maggie, and US Director Sheree Beresford --
 Maggie's first bicycle.)

Feb. 24, 2009
Two Weeks After Surgery

Margarette is still in Nashville, and is recovering very well under the care of Dr. Dave and Melody. She is slowly regaining the ability to see, and is thoroughly enjoying her stay in the US.

Last week, as part of a Valentine's Day celebration, Dr. Wang (the surgeon who performed Margarette's surgery) and Margarette danced a waltz together at a special Valentine's Day event. Dr. Wang is a very accomplished dancer, and was honored to be able to provide little Margarette with yet another wonderful experience in the States. As a child coming from such impoverished conditions, it was the opportunity of a lifetime for Margarette to be dressed up and able to attend a ball.

Please continue to pray for Margarette as her recovery continues. Thank you to all who have made this wonderful story possible, and to all the supporters of Danita's Children whose efforts and contributions provide rescue, love, care and support to our children in Haiti. As we grow, we pray that God will tough the hearts of even more individuals to be involved with the work of Danita's Children, and that we may be able to reach even more children and provide them with tools for a brighter future.

We truly feel blessed to be a part of the lives of orphans in Haiti. We serve a God of mercy, grace and compassion, and are more and more amazed every day at the way He cares for even "the least of these."

Please visit the other sections of our website to learn how to be involved in supporting other children like Margarette.

Photo Above: Margarette with her Nashville friend Carly. Even as a young girl, Carly has already begun fundraising for Danita's Children by means of a lemonade stand that she sets up herself. Carly understands that everyone has the power to make a difference for the children of Haiti!

Feb. 21, 2009
The following is a story run by The Tennessean regarding Margarette's story and journey.
(Please note that the article incorrectly stated Dr. Snodgrass's name as Stan, as his name is Dr. David Snodgrass.)
___________

Mission of Mercy Changes Girl's Life

By Cheryl Tatum • For The Tennessean • February 21, 2009

Margarette's life in Haiti was a such a constant struggle that as a 7-year-old she was facing severe malnutrition and had the appearance of a girl years younger. She also was losing her hair and temporarily losing her eyesight.

For this girl, the path to health and restored eyesight eventually lead to Nashville with the help of missionary Karris Hudson and two doctors, Stan Snodgrass, a Franklin dentist, and Ming Wang, a Nashville ophthalmic surgeon.

"This is just a great ending to her story," said Hudson, a graduate of Nashville's Christ Presbyterian Academy.

Margarette's road to health began in Ouanaminthe, Haiti, when her mother took her to an orphanage called Danita's Children, where Hudson has worked for the last seven years.
When she arrived at the orphanage, Margarette was immediately taken to the hospital where she received enough care to keep her alive and somewhat recovered from the malnutrition that eventually took the sight from her left eye.

In June 2008 Snodgrass and his wife, Melody, went to Haiti on a medical mission and met Margarette. The couple became aware of Danita's Children when Hudson, on a visit to her hometown, spoke at Grace Point Church in Franklin, where the Snodgrass family attends church.

Hudson's story touched their hearts. so Stan and Melody Snodgrass went to Haiti on the medical mission that led them to Margarette. "It is just incredible what the missionaries have done there," Snodgrass said.

A follow-up trip in October brought the Snodgrasses back to the orphanage, where they could see that Margarette's eyesight was rapidly deteriorating. Already blind in her left eye, she was in danger of losing the sight in her right eye. That's when the search to restore the now 10-year-old girl's sight began and where the Ming Wang and his foundation, the Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration, entered the picture.

Obstacles Faced, Conquered
Snodgrass, who was familiar with Wang's work, contacted the surgeon as soon as he returned home from Haiti. Through pictures of Margarette's eyes sent to Wang by Snodgrass, the ophthalmic surgeon knew the best way to provide any kind of sight restoration to the Haitian girl was for her to come to Nashville. Four month's later with the help of U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, Margarette received a medical visa and arrived in Nashville on Feb. 7. Two days later she was in Wang's medical chair.

While doctors were first considering a corneal transplant of her right eye, Wang discovered that the damage was too extensive and that type surgery could cause Margarette to lose her sight.

It seemed to Wang that in every direction he turned for a treatment option, there was a roadblock. "It was like you were on a mountaintop and when you looked left there were cliffs and when you looked right there were cliffs. Then God showed us a path to the other side," Wang said. That path was advanced laser surgery that allowed Wang to remove scar tissue from Margarette's eye without invasive surgery.

But, according to Wang, even with the laser surgery there was one remaining roadblock. Margarette had to remain perfectly still for the 48 seconds needed for the laser to do its job. It took three attempts on Feb. 10 for Wang and his team to get Margarette still enough to complete the operation. "We needed 48 seconds, and that is what we got." Wang said, adding that now Margarette's right eye vision is between 60 and 70 percent.

Now living with the Snodgrass family in Franklin, Margarette will be in Nashville for at least five months, Hudson said, adding that the Nashville connection to the girl's story is one she believes was designed by God. "It is like God led us to Nashville," she said.

Margarette has been blessed, first by the missionaries in her home country and now by caring medical professionals in Nashville. But Snodgrass said the blessing he and his wife received from this experience is one never to be forgotten. "You are a doctor and you think you are going to go and bless everyone with your presence, but that's not right. We were the ones that were blessed," Snodgrass said.

Feb. 13, 2009
Three Days After Initial Surgery

Today at Margarette's appointment, her vision was tested to be 20/80. In a couple months, she will be reexamined to see if she needs glasses. We are excited about this progress!

Also, Margarette was treated today by Dr. David Snodgrass at his pediatric dental office. She was sedated while Dr. Snodgrass gave her a great smile that she will soon be able to see for herself!

This evening, Margarette will be attending a local Valentine's Day event, at the request of Dr. Wang. She is very excited, and we will be posting photos of the event soon!

Check back for updates!

Feb. 12, 2009
Two Days After Surgery

Margarette came through surgery successfully, and is now recovering under the care of Dr. David and Melody Snodgrass in Nashville. Karris is still with her and is able to offer some familiarity.

Although she is in a measure of pain, Margarette is recovering very well, and is still very excited about being in the US. We spoke with her on the phone yesterday and she was joyful and cheerful, as usual! We are so thankful to God for His provision in Margarette's life, and for Dr. Wang and Dr. and Melody Snodgrass' generosity that have made this endeavor possible.

Be sure to check our website and daily blog for regular updates
on Margarette’s recovery and journey back to sight.

Feb. 10, 2009
The First Surgery

Just this morning, Dr. Wang's promise to help came to completion as Margarette underwent surgery in hopes of restoring at least part of her vision by Valentine’s Day. In cooperation with the Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration, Dr. Wang provided the surgery and all pre-op and post-op care free of charge. He truly is giving the gift of sight to Margarette, and we thank God for his kindness and willingness to listen to God’s call to act as a healer.

"God has a plan for Margarette, though we do not yet know what it is," Dr. Wang said this week. "We do not know for sure if Margarette will indeed be able to see again, but we do need to try our best, trusting in God and believing in Him."

Feb. 9, 2009
The First Visit to Dr. Wang

Margarette was greeted by Dr. Wang and his staff, who were eager to begin the process of restoring her sight. Several tests and consults were done, and Dr. Wang decided to proceed with a corneal transplant. Surgery was scheduled right away, for Feb. 10th.

As seen in these photos, Margarette's story was also featured on Nashville's Channel 2 news. Margarette felt like a princess! And the best part is that she will soon be able to see.

Margarette, long-term missionary Karris Hudson, and Dr. Wang at his office. | Smile, Margarette and Dr. Wang!

Jan. 26 - Feb. 7, 2009
Waiting for a VISA

Margarette waited with Danita and Karris in Port-au-Prince for a VISA for weeks. When her VISA was finally issued, it was time to board the plane to Nashville! Margarette was so excited to be going on an airplane!

2005-2008
Margarette's vision continued to deteriorate. She was completely blind in one eye and the sight in her other eye was decreasing every year.

Then, in 2008, Dr. David and Melody Snodgrass came to visit our children in Haiti. They had recently become aware and involved with Danita’s Children as a result of a contact with Karris Hudson, one of our long-term missionaries. Dr. Snodgrass, a Nashville-based pediatric dentist, met Margarette and was sympathetic to her situation, as he had also sustained an eye injury that prohibited him from experiencing full vision.

When Dr. Snodgrass returned to Nashville, he contacted Dr. Ming Wang, a world-renowned ophthalmologic surgeon, to inquire about Margarette’s situation. Dr. Wang agreed to help in any way that he could. Arrangements were made to bring Margarette to the United States for examination and possible eye surgery.

In 2005, a distraught mother came to the missionaries at Danita’s Children and asked if they would help her daughter, who was near death as a result of severe malnutrition. The girl was seven years old, but looked to be closer to three years, and it was clear that her body was near its breaking point. Immediately, the missionaries took the girl to a local clinic to receive a life-saving blood transfusion, and nutrition that would sustain her. When she was released from the clinic, though, her mother was still not about to provide adequate nourishment, and so the girl and her mother ended up back at the missionaries’ door. This time, they welcomed little Margarette into the family at Danita’s Children, where she came to live permanently.

In just a few months, Margarette had regained much of her strength and vitality as a result of receiving three meals a day, medical attention, and much love. However, it became clear that the damage that severe malnutrition had taken on her eyes was not going to be resolved as quickly. Margarette was entirely blind in her left eye, and was only partially seeing from her right eye. Over time, it became clear that Margarette would lose her vision entirely if something was not done quickly.

Related Links:

Snodgrass-King Pediatric Dental Associates in Tennessee
www.snodgrassking.co

In addition to Margarette, the Wang Foundation has helped patients from 40 states and 55 countries with all sight restoration surgeries performed free of charge.
www.wangfoundation.org

Wang Vision Institute in Nashville, Tennessee
www.wangvisioninstitute.com