After Magaly’s first stay with us, she returned home to a newly-built home (courtesy of a ServiceTeam) with enough milk and supplements to last her a year. Magaly’s alcoholic father sold these supplements and then the house, piece-by-piece, to support his habit. Magaly returned to Casa Jackson in October 2010, a month away from her second birthday, racked with infections and incredibly malnourished. Her mother stayed at Casa Jackson for many months while she searched for a safe home and a job that would allow her to support Magaly and her older sister.
Thanks to a generous donation from a volunteer, Magaly had surgery this year to repair her hip joints so that her legs and hips are now connected. After many months in a cast that stretched from her chest to her knees, she is crawling around, pulling herself up to stand on furniture, and walking with her hands held for support. She will receive physical therapy soon to ensure that her recovery is as complete as possible.
Despite the challenges she’s faced in her short life, Magaly is playful, loving, and a joy to be around. Her mother works a few hours away now but comes to visit whenever she can, bringing Magaly’s older sister along, who says she misses her little sister and can’t wait to have her home so they can play together again. Magaly isn’t yet able to express herself verbally, but we are sure she agrees!