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| Stem-Cell Procedure Helps Girl To See |
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| Optic Nerve Hypoplasia | |
| 周四, 25 9月 2008 22:15 | |
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There are no translations available. Source: KMBC  Savannah Watring Went To China For Experimental Treatment SYRACUSE, Mo. -- Doctors said an 8-year-old girl would never see more than light and dark, but a Missouri family said seeing is believing. The family of Savannah Watring decided to take a chance on an experimental stem-cell procedure in China. "I kept wondering if I'm doing the right thing. Being blind was her world. And I kept thinking, 'What if I'm doing wrong by taking her world from her?'" grandmother Ravana Watring told KMBC's Bev Chapman. Savannah's grandmother, father and aunt took the 8-year-old for seven stem-cell infusions at a hospital in Quingdoa, China. The result is that Savannah can see. Doctors said it would take three to six months before they would see any change, but after Savannah's fourth treatment, something amazing happened in an elevator -- she saw herself for the first time. "When Savannah was facing the mirror, she said, 'Hi.' Brent looked at me, and I looked at Brent. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry," Ravana Watring said. Now, Savannah is learning shapes, numbers and letters. "It was like, one day she was not seeing anything, and the next day she was seeing the letter E and which way the legs went," aunt Shonna Millsap said. Savannah is still learning, and her family said the improvement is a miracle. "Savannah is seeing, and we're gonna see what she sees," Ravana Watring said. "I'm not a bit sorry. I'd do it all over again. It might plateau over the next few months, and if we need to go back, we will." Doctors said Savannah's blindness was caused by a condition known as optic nerve hypoplasia. Insurance wouldn't pay for the experimental treatment, but the family received more than $50,000 from fundraisers to pay for the medical bills. Savannah will soon visit her eye doctor to measure her vision.
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