That is why we are asking
the world, and our community to get involved! After insurance, family &
friends, Rylea needs about $200,000 to undergo the procedure!
We are so close!
Knowing the kind and giving
spirit of Missourians, we knew the best hope for Rylea would
be our community itself.
Below, read the complete
biography of a brave and beautiful girl named Rylea, and
please give your gift, no matter how small. Every single
dollar counts, and the reward will last a lifetime.
Please give us your quick-Pledge of support
here, or send in or drop off your gift at any US Bank location, for
the
"Hope For Rylea Fund"
"I pray that if you are
reading this you know it is because God has placed Rylea on
your path of life. We ask for prayers that God will continue
to lead us and open only the doors meant for us to pass
through"
-Rylea's Mother, Dawn
National
Inquirer Feature Article, Sep 2008! (cont.)
On September 3, 2001 (Labor Day) we were blessed
by the birth of our first precious little girl, Rylea Shael Barlett.
Moments after her birth we, as most parents do, checked her over
from her head to her tiny little toes. We, along with all of the
hospital staff, knew that she was as close to perfect as a baby
could be. Our OB/Pediatrician raved over her beauty as well as
picking up our camera, taking the first pictures of us with our
little angel.
The next 24 hours proved to be a bit less than perfect. To start,
Rylea wouldn't nurse. The nurses said that it was normal for a baby
that had just endured a 24 1/2 hours of labor. Later we noticed her
eyes rolling back and that too was said to be caused from a long
labor, "she's just worn out" they said. And finally she quit
breathing. At this time the nurses were instructed to check her
blood sugar which turned out to be 12. We were told that if she were
an adult she would have been in a diabetic coma. She was given IV's
and her glucose levels were checked frequently for the next couple
of days. Rylea seemed to have pulled through, she started eating,
blood sugar remained steady and there was no longer any reason for
her daddy or me to be concerned.
We were finally able to take her home about three days after she was
born. The next couple of months were wonderful other than the few
normal bumps in the road. Rylea was surrounded by love at all times.
Her big brother would wake up early before getting ready for school
just to be able to hold her. And of course, Daddy and I, as well as
her many grandparents were a "little" proud of her.
Shortly after Rylea's 1st Christmas (Dec. 2001), she seemed to be
developing some congestion. Late one evening we became concerned as
she developed a high fever and the congestion only seemed to be
getting worse. Just to be on the safe side we opted to take her to
the ER to have everything checked out. After a few tests, we were
told Rylea would need to be admitted in to the hospital to be
treated for RSV (a respiratory illness more common in premature
babies). The treatments were pretty intense for 2-3 days. During her
stay our pediatrician noticed that she wasn't tracking objects with
her eyes. It was not something I had really noticed but I also knew
that it typically takes a few months for babies sight to develop
clearly.
We were referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist. Our appointment was
nearly three weeks later and from time to time I thought of a few
different things that could have been wrong but tried to keep a
positive attitude. On the day of our appointment I loaded Rylea in
the car and we headed out. When we arrived at the office there were
several children in the waiting room. Some wore glasses, some had an
eye patched to help correct a "lazy eye". I figured this may be our
problem as well, a patch, a prescription for glasses and we'd be on
our way...NOT THE CASE! After the examination, the doctor came back
in the room and said, "I'm sorry, your daughter has optic nerve
hypoplasia and is blind. There's nothing we can do for her." and
with that said, she left the room. I was beyond devastation! Never
in a million years did I expect to hear that our little angel was
blind.
We of course we had exams done by several other doctors over the
next several months. However, they were all fairly similar in their
diagnosis. Through all of these trying times there were two things
that kept me going, one was my faith and the other was the fact that
Rylea is always bubbly and saying things to keep me smiling. You
see, Rylea started calling me "mama" when she was just 10 days old
and by 9 months she was talking in complete sentences and singing
the alphabet. It's hard to miss the "light" that is present within
her.
At 13 months Rylea became a big sister. Kyra was born in October of
2002. I knew God must have had something great planned as this
wasn't exactly in our planning. We were VERY excited to welcome her
into our family though. Rylea was at the delivery to welcome her
too! The doctor let her feel Kyra's little feet as soon as she was
born and that is where their amazing bond began. It was as if Kyra
had known from day one that Rylea was blind and she acts as though
she has been sent here as our little guardian angel to watch over
her big sister.
So, within 13 months we went from having one 6 1/2 year old son to
having three beautiful children. Even with the trials that we have
faced we know that we are truly blessed.
The last few years have been a a bit hectic at times but our family
has continued to pray for God to lead us to something or someone who
would be able to help Rylea see. I've researched any lead that came
my way since we received the diagnosis. Many offer false hope,
others are simply futuristic like something you might see in a
science-fiction movie. That is until Friday, December 8, 2006. This
is when I received an e-mail from stem cells China saying that they
read the e-mail that I had sent (I've sent what seems like thousands
of e-mails all over the world, never knowing where the door would be
that God would choose to open.). They went on to say that they had
accepted her to be treated by stem cells in China. They feel that
according to her diagnosis there is very likely going to be sight in
her near future.
I tried to remain level headed when I got the news. I did kick into
overdrive however, doing non-stop research and ceaselessly praying
that if this is God's will, He will swing the doors wide open and if
not, to slam them closed so we are not tempted to try to squeeze
through the cracks. So far in our journey regarding China, we have
been led to nothing but wide open doors. From everything I've
researched turning out to be all I could ask for or more to the
incredible support of Rylea's eye doctor, pediatrician and nurse
practitioner. There is a peace within me that could never be
described with words.
The only obstacle we face will be doing the fundraisers, having a
benefit and collecting donations in order to raise the needed funds
to go through with the trips and procedures. This too I know in my
heart will be handled by God. I've never been the type of person to
ask others for help or money. I love being the one to help others so
perhaps this is just another of the lessons in life that I have to
learn.
I pray that if you are reading this you know it is because God has
placed Rylea on your path of life. We ask for prayers that God will
continue to lead us and open only the doors meant for us to pass
through. And as for the hardest part, if you are financially able,
we NEED donations to continue down our road of hope for Rylea to one
day see the faces of her brother Zack (12), her sister Kyra (4), her
Daddy and her Mommy. Not to mention all of her grandparents and
other extended family members who love her so much.
Thank you in advance for your prayers and support & God Bless,
Dawn Barlett
(Rylea's very hopeful mommy)
Donations can be made at any US Bank to the "Hope for Rylea Fund" If
you have any questions please contact Chris Strait of US Bank (417) 673-2484
Make Checks Payable To: Hope for Rylea Fund
121 W Broadway
Webb City, MO 64870
You're also welcome to check out the stem cells China website at
StemCellsChina
