Posted on 12/15/2005 8:57:41 AM PST by presidio9
Giggling and blowing kisses to photographers, Peru's 19-month-old "miracle baby" was presented to the public Tuesday by doctors six months after surgery to separate her fused legs.
Milagros Cerron, whose name means "miracles" in Spanish, was born with a rare congenital defect known as sirenomelia, or "mermaid syndrome." Her successful operation in June captured the interest of the world.
Affectionately called "the little mermaid" by Peruvians, Milagros wore a pair of tiny blue jeans Tuesday as she played among dozens of brightly colored plastic balls.
Dr. Luis Rubio, head of a team of surgeons who operated on in June, said he was pleased with the progress Milagros had made, but cautioned that she still needed 10 to 15 years of rehabilitation and more operations before she could lead a normal life.
She has been attempting to stand up, Rubio said, but is unable to maintain stability because she has no sockets for her hip bones. Initially after the operation, he had said he hoped to see her walking within two years, but on Tuesday he was cautious about making predictions.
"I dream of that day," he said. "We are going to do everything humanly possible to conclude what nature has not finished," he said.
Rubio said one of the most gratifying aspects of having helped Milagros is the "multiplying effect" the publicity about her surgery has had in helping to encourage parents to bring in children with congenital deformations for treatment.
He said his contact with Milagros has changed his life forever.
"There is the Dr. Rubio before the little mermaid and the one after the little mermaid," he said.
Milagros' parents are from a poor village in Peru's Andes Mountains, and the Solidarity Hospital has given a job to her father Ricardo Cerron so that the family can remain in Lima.
"I'm happy and proud of her because she is overcoming her problems," Cerron said. "When she sees me, she says, 'Papa,' and that is a happiness that I feel in my heart."
Milagros Cerron smiles wearing a headband that reads: 'Merry Christmas' after the news conference about her health in a municipal hospital in Lima, Peru on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005. Milagros, who is now one year and seven months old, was born with a rare congenital defect known as sirenomelia, or 'mermaid syndrome.' The deformity occurs in one out of every 70,000 births and there are only three known cases of children with the affliction alive in the world today. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
ping
What a beautiful baby!
I love milagros!
She has such gorgeous eyes, and looks like a happy little girl.
....and a career at Sea World to look forward to.
ping
I laughed. now I'm going straight to hell along with you.
And... you owe me a new keyboard, mine's all covered with Starbucks. ;-P
Awww, how can you say that? She's such a cutie! Doesn't that smile melt you?
Watch out for the throw pillow I've got aimed at your noggin', you grouch! :)
Is there some particular reason that you attempted to bring this to my attention? Or that I shouldn't tap the abuse button?
The baby is well-named! Here's wishing her the best.
What grouch?? I'm giving career advice. It beats drawing welfare and turning into a Democrat.
I knew a girl once who looked 12 years old even into her mid-20s. I told her she needed to go into modeling for teen clothing. Take advantage of the opportunities life hands you. Miss Mermaid will have a much better view of life if she sees herself as a special person with a special gift as opposed to a "disadvantaged" person who needs government help.
Nice save there, Texan! When you put it that way, I guess you do have a point. I wouldn't wish becoming a democrat on anyone. Now THAT would be evil! :)
Thanks for the ping!
Imagine if she had been born in Holland.
You participated in the earlier thread.
But go ahead and hit the abuse button if that turns you on.
My sister sent me several photos of that "creature" via email. I came to Free Republic wondering if anyone had posted a picture.
I'm not surprised that it was. :)
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