This is Delia, origins unknown. She was abandoned right after being born. No one has claimed her. She has no arms or legs. She's 11 months old. Right now she has an IV in her head & she's bandaged because she has an upper respiratory system infection that is not responding to treatment. Her temp ranges from 102-104. When the fever hits her hard, she cries piteously. The nurses soak a dishrag in rubbing alcohol, then pin it around her waist, keeping her clothes soaking wet all day.
Delia is an institutionalized child & likely always will be. This is most unfortunate, because her cognitive development seems normal. With prosthetics, she could live some kind of life out in the world. Now, she exhibits the signs of institutionalized children; she rocks herself to sleep by lying on her back & whipping her head from side-to-side for long periods. She has been so habituated to being fed in a crib, that if you cradle her in your arms to give her a bottle, she's crabby & flaily & won't eat.
Delia has many mothers here at the end of the hall in the hospital in Barlad, Romania. The staff & volunteers love her & are generous with their kisses. She provides hours of entertainments with her repertoire of babbling. She sticks her tongue out & makes a wet pfffffft sound. If you do the same back to her...well...you look mighty foolish, but you are, in fact, having a scintillating conversation with a girl without arms or legs.
Delia Kissing Her Baby So Sweetly
-- la reverdere
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