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“There were so many days that were simply a chore to survive,” remembers mom Lisa who was coping with her own medical issues as well as her tiny daughter’s. “I was petrified and felt like I couldn’t exhale. Rainy “coded” at birth, needed a chest tube for a collapsed lung and failed two out of three viability factors. More complications followed. Lisa, husband Read and a committed network of friends and family stayed strong despite grave meeting with doctors and specialists. Days were spent talking, singing and reading to Rainy. “Every time I touched her she stabilized,” recalls Lisa. “Quickly everyday things became meaningless. All of our energy went to Rainy.” After nearly four months in the hospital, the Cline family went home to their family cottage on the Rhode Island shore. Despite all they had been through and all of the challenges that were sure to come with Rainy’s medically fragile condition of chronic lung disease, they were joyous. “We didn’t know what was going to happen from one minute to the next,” says Lisa. “With scarred lungs things can go very bad very quickly.” After being home for just two days, Rainy was evaluated by Easter Seals Service Coordinator Rachael Corr, RN. In the beginning, Rachael helped the Cline family deal with their daughter’s significant medical issues, now that Rainy is 1? she is working with the family on the activities of every day living. “Rainy is a perfect example of how resilient children can be. Considering what she went through the first few months of her life, it is amazing to see how she has progressed in her development,” said Rachael. “At Rainy's annual developmental evaluation at 15 months chronological age, and about 12 months corrected age for prematurity, all of Rainy's developmental skills had reached her chronological age. “For Rainy to catch up this quickly, when her first 3? months were spent critically ill in the NICU, shows Rainy's strong will and her family's commitment to fostering her development.” “Through it all, she held our hands and listened. We needed that desperately it was so hard to manage it all,” said Lisa. “She would track down information on anything we needed to know. She was our voice of reason.” These days Rainy has the same resilient spirit she has had since birth—it has allowed her to live against the odds. She loves going to the beach, playing with her dog Matty, listening to music and Dr. Seuss stories, drawing with crayons, and picking up big rocks. In Rainy’s short, intense life she has brought people together. And, Lisa says “has taught us about love and reminded us about what is important.” “People ask us if ‘she is out of the woods yet,’” says Lisa. “I always tell people we live in the woods. We’ve learned the joys of living in the woods and about miracles. She is the most amazing person I have ever met.” This delicate little girl with the intuitive eyes continues to inspire those around her. And Lisa, inspired by the help her family received from Easter Seals, has joined the Easter Seals Rhode Island Parent Advisory Board because “I wanted to give back for what we’ve been given and thought this was something that would be helpful to others.” “Easter Seals has been there for our family in so many different ways. I rely on our team to keep an eye on Rainy for me,” said Lisa. “They give me the ability to let go of some things and just be a mom. This is a huge gift for me. I can’t describe the value of that.” |
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