Karla Elana Steimberg, 19, was born with spina bifida in Husi, Romania. She has lived with her grandparents in a two-room, second-story apartment, mostly limited to her bedroom, her entire life.

In addition to the spina bifida, for which surgery was performed shortly after her birth, Karla has had skin infections that have caused ulcers in her eyes. She developed corneal ulcers in her right eye in 1996 that significantly impaired her vision. In 1998, Karla traveled to Suçeava where a Project Vision consultant recommended that a corneal graft might be considered for her right eye, but advised postponing such treatment as long as her vision remained good in her left eye.

Recently, there have been flare-ups from ulcers in her left eye. She and her grandparents are afraid that she will lose her vision in her only good eye and be left virtually blind.

Dr. Stephen Kutner, medical director for Jewish Healthcare International, traveled to Romania in December and met Karla. Since then, Dr. Kutner has taken the lead, along with the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the Romanian Jewish Federation (RJF), to bring Karla to Israel for emergency surgery.

At press time, Karla and her grandmother were en route to Tel Aviv's Tel Ha Shemer Hospital where doctors will perform the corneal transplant she needs and treat some of her other ailments (including lower extremity paralysis and incontinence). Money contributed by the JDC and RJF will allow Karla to recuperate and rehabilitate in Tel Aviv. Doctors hope Karla will regain 80% of her vision and through rehab, she will learn special skills to enable her to function easier upon her return to Romania.

For more information about Jewish Healthcare International, please contact Executive Director Terry Bagen at (678) 222-3722.

Jewish Healthcare International received an allocation of $50,000 in FY03.