OUR CRIPPLED LAMB
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payable to:
Our Crippled Lamb
P.O. Box 516
Blairstown NJ, 07825
1-800-OUR-LAMB
Rachel’s Health Crisis and Update: Rachel’s health has been going down hill in the last 2 years. We have been driving back and forth to , Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia every 2 weeks or more, it is a 250 mile round trip.
She is collapsing in on herself and her internal organs. She has developed pressure sores on her spine. Because of her spine that is protruding out, it is placing pressure on the surface of her skin.
She lost a bunch of weight because pressure on her stomach. They were going to have to give her a feeding tube.
The good news is she has gained weight through special supplements that we are giving her 3 times a day. Praise God she has gained 20 pounds. No feeding tube.
In the next couple of months she will have skin expanders placed under her skin in her back, to prepare her for Life threatening Spine surgery. This will be happening late summer. The rods will straighten her spine.
Princess NJ American Queen
If you want to know more read about me and look at my pictures, you can go to my mom’s website and see more at BarbaraVernoski.com then click on the picture of her in her crown. I also has photos on her photo page click here.
The Origin of Our Crippled Lamb
When Rachel was born we did not know she had Spina Bifida, but we had already picked out the girls name "Rachel", which means "Lamb". So she is in effect, a "crippled lamb"... our "Crippled Lamb". Shortly after she turned 3 years old, we discovered the book "The Crippled Lamb" by Max Lucado, a wonderful Christmas book for children of all ages.
In the book, a small lamb is unable to run and play with the other sheep in the field, he is different than the others, and they treat him poorly because he is so. An unlikely friend, an old cow, continues to tell the young sheep he is special, not to be sad, but he continues to be sad anyway. While the flock is grazing on tall grass, in a new field, the young saddened lamb remains confined to the stable where a young woman and man have set up for the night. In the middle of that night, the crippled lamb is awakened by the cries of a newborn baby, cold and shivering with no covers. The man and woman call for the crippled sheep to lie beside the newborn babe, providing comfort and warmth. The lamb wondered who this babe might be, and the young woman, Mary, spoke as if she knew the lambs question. "He is Jesus, God's son. He came from heaven to teach us about God."
The lamb now knew why he was born with a crippled leg. If he wasn't, he would have been in the field, but since he was different, he was in the stable, and got to witness the birth of Christ. The lamb turned to the old friendly cow and said, "You're right, God does have a special place for me."
When Rachel was born on 8/3/95 at Newton Memorial Hospital, Newton, N.J. There were no indications that hers was to anything but a normal birth, like the four previous her mother had. When the doctor delivered Rachel and saw the opening of her back where her spine had stopped forming, he knew something was terribly wrong. Rachel was immediately rushed to the Neonatal intensive care unit at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown, N.J. where she remained for the next 16 days. A battery of tests confirmed that Rachel was born with Spina Bifida. Her second day of life saw her enter 4 hours of intensive surgery on her brain and spine. 1) close the myelomeningocele (opening in her back), and 2) place a shunt in the top of her skull. With 3 feet of tubing to drain excess fluid from her brain into her stomach cavity. Ultra sound and X-rays identified further brain damage and abnormalities. So in addition to Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Rachel has A Genesis of Corpus Collosum (no connection between left and right side of her brain), Arnold - Chiari Malformation and an Archanoid Cyst the size of a golf ball in the center of her brain.
Doctors feared Rachel would not understand her surroundings, basically be a vegetable, possibly not living beyond her first birthday. But as you can see, as Rachel grew and matured she has exceeded all of our expectations. She is a joy and a blessing to all she meets, however she still faces many difficult times and varied challenges ahead. But with your support, she can continue to grow, learn, and achieve her full potential.
© This Web Page Designed, Created & Published by Barbara Vernoski
Rachel at age 4, this picture hangs in the neo-natal Intensive Care unit at Morristown Hospital to give other Parents hope!
Rachel Kathleen Vernoski -More About Me
Fifteen year old Rachel was born with Spina Bifida (paralyzed from the chest down). This site is dedicated to her so she can inspire you.
You can turn Rachel's endless potential into a lifetime of possibilities and accomplishments. A Special Needs Trust have been established to cover her mounting medical bills.
1000 over people have contributed, ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST
Will you share in my commitment to this worthy cause? Please don't hesitate, to contact us as
Sponsor 1 tank of gas $80.00 From our home to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. For the next 3 months we will be driving here once a week.
