This is a heart warming story similar to the children I seen on the Ward.
"For seven years Genevieve has been the eyes for others. She gave birth to three children - two boys separated by a girl - all with cataracts in both eyes, preventing them from seeing anything but the most subtle shifts in light and shadow.
Going anywhere has been an exercise of patience and strength for Genevieve - tying one year old Ricardo on her back with a piece of brightly patterned cloth, taking seven year old Alexis by the hand, holding three year old Nadge by the arm - then guiding them up the steps.
For years, her eyes have been vigilant guards against danger - coal stoves sitting in the corners of rooms, containers of liquid that could scald or poison and all daily threats that could harm her children.
"Because of the blindness I must be with them all the day," Genevieve said. "Even if they are playing, I have to watch them. In everything, I have to be right beside them."
"To make matters worse, she heard people whisper, "It must be witchcraft or a curse because three blind children in one family is too unlucky."
They came to the ship - three happy children, laughing using their fingers to "see" the toys the nurses handed them.
"I hope that the children will recover their sight," Genevieve said, "and they can go to school. I will be happy if my children can see my face and my husband's face."
The expectation for successful surgery was highest for three year old Nadege. She hadn't been blind long enough for permanent damage, yet her eyes were developed enough for the new lens to fit well. For congenital cataract procedures, children over the age of seven often have permanent damage because the optic nerve develops, and the brain adjusts to blindness.
All three children received their operations.
First they removed Nadege's when the badages came off "she grabbed the doll we were holding in front of her and said 'Bebe, bebe.' So she knew what it was, and we knew she could see."
Next was Alexis, who they feared would not see as well. They put toys on the floor. He looked around, walked straight up to Dr. Glenn, and took something he had in his hand.
Finally they removed Recardo's bandages for some time he lay with his eyes squeezed shut. Finally he opened one eye and glanced around. Suddenly he saw something on his mother's shirt, and he reached up and grabbed it.
Now Genevieve's hopes are realized. Her children will see her face, and they will know their father by sight. They will go to school. She will see them holding hands and walking outside to play on their own."
Story by Carmen Radley