Twelve-year-old Malica Hercules has borne more on her tiny shoulders than many persons do in their entire lifetime, but has kept smiling and maintains the will to live.
Malica is no stranger to the press as she has been featured since she was a baby.
“I would like to be a doctor when I grow up because of all the help I get and I would like to help people who are in need,” the bouncy Malica told Stabroek News recently, though from her speech it is not difficult to discern that something is wrong.
Today she can no longer be called ‘Baby M’, as she was referred to in 2003 when we first featured her, but she can certainly be viewed as a little girl with a tower of strength.
Malica has undergone six surgeries to correct a cleft lip, damaged palate and dysmorphic (malformed) facial features she was born with, all of which have seen dramatic improvement to her facial structure. But she still needs two final operations overseas. In order to get them done, as in the past, Malica is depending on the support of the many kind persons who are moved by her plight.
Her ordeal began during her delivery when her mother, Corzetta Hercules, suffered complications which forced doctors to use forceps to deliver her twin.
Only Malica survived and her head plate and skull were fused together at birth. As a result, the right half of her head did not grow in unison with the left half. Her right eye was also slightly distorted and her face twisted to the right.
When she was just months old, Malica’s mother was forced to leave her at the Red Cross Convalescent Home, because of little or no family support and the fact that she had to work full time and could not care for her. But the ten months Malica spent at the home proved to be the turning point of her life. Many persons who visited the home and those who worked there were all touched by her plight and in the end helped to facilitate the first six surgeries.
She received assistance from numerous individuals and institutions including Kids First Fund, the Central Islamic Organisation (CIOG) and the Red Cross, and underwent two operations in 2002 at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, which repaired the cleft lip and palate.
In May 2006, she underwent an additional set of four operations for cranial–orbital reconstruction. During this process a metal plate with brass screws was inserted into her head and it was agreed that in 2008 a final surgery called a cranioplasty would have been done.
But Malica’s parents and those who supported her were unable to raise the US$25,000 that was needed for that surgery and the removal of the metal plate.
Screws loose
When Stabroek News caught up with Malica recently she had just received a cheque for US$2,000 from the CIOG, one of many donations the organization has made to the child’s health care.
This money is to go towards Malica’s travel to Canada to have the metal plate removed as it has outlived its usefulness. While it is hoped that the entire US$25,000 could have been raised to facilitate the final surgery those who support her know the importance of having the metal plate removed.
The US$14,270 that is needed for the actual removal of the plate has been raised, but about $3 million are needed for visa processing, air fares and accommodation for the child and her mother in Canada.
The urgency to have the metal plate removed is triggered by the fact that its screws have begun to come loose and pop through her face. There was a frightening episode last year when her brother observed the small metal object protruding out of his sister’s face.
“I was going to sweep the house and my brother look at me and then call out to my mother and my mom came and look and tell me to put on my clothes right away we have to go out. I put on my clothes and then I was putting on my earrings and when I look in the mirror I see this thing and my face bleeding,” the child recalled.
But all ended well as the doctors in Toronto were contacted and they said there was no harm in having the screw removed. Today, there are signs of two more of the screws popping out, hence, the determination that the metal plate has completed its job.
Recently Malica received a free pair of glasses from Dr Karen Persram after she developed some difficulty reading. She happily demonstrated to Stabroek News how effective they were by reading excerpts from one of the stories that was published about her.
Clearly, from her articulation Malica is well read and her mother said she is proud of the progress she has made in school. Though she is sometimes affected by the cruel taunts of children, her mother said she is confident that her little angel will one day become a doctor.
The intrusive attention she received forced her parents to enrol her in a school that facilitates her wearing the traditional Islamic hijab or headscarf.
She previously attended the CV Nunes Primary School in Anna Regina and since her father is a Muslim, she has since been attending the Al-Madeen Islamic Academy.
Life has not been perfect at the private institution but Malica said she has learnt how to protect herself from being hurt.
“I am kinda out of this friendship thing now. I keep to myself and that way I wouldn’t get into any trouble and blame for anything,” she declared.
There are many bad experiences she can count at the school but she prefers to focus on the positives and her mother said she prefers her to be in a school environment than being home tutored.
“I cannot shield her from the world forever,” Corzetta declared pointing out that for her daughter’s dream of being a doctor to be realized she needs to be in the school system.
The woman said it was difficult for her after she gave birth to Malica as many in her family were embarrassed by the child’s condition. There was no family support and in the end the family moved from their Mahaica home to Henrietta, Essequibo.
Because of past experiences, the woman said she never leaves her child with anyone and takes her wherever she goes.
There is a scar on one of the Malica’s hands that is a constant reminder to Corzetta to always keep her daughter close. Malica was just about six when she left her with a relative for a few hours to facilitate a trip to the airport. On her return Malica had sustained a nasty burn to her hand after the relative put her to sweep up leaves in a burning heap. Because her eyesight was not good Malica swept too close to the fire and got burnt.
“From since then I drag her wherever I going…,” the woman said.
Corzetta is self employed; she has a stall in the market and she also does hair dressing at home. Because her husband is away in the interior working a lot she is forced to be both father and mother to her two children. At present her 13-year-old son lives with an aunt.
The Ministry of Health had donated US$5,000 since back in 2008 for the plate removal surgery and Nigel’s Supermarket and the Mark Benschop Foundation are among some of the other agencies that have made donations. It is hoped that the final surgery could be done in another country–India or Cuba—where it would be cheaper and there are efforts being made to ascertain whether this is possible.
“I would like to thank all those people who have helped me to have a normal life and I hope that people would continue to support me so I can have the final surgery,” Malica said with a bright smile.
An account has been set up for Malica at Demerara Bank Limited; the account number is 159870.
The child’s mother Corzetta Hercules could be reached at 690-0160. Persons interested in making any other financial donation towards the surgeries or towards accommodation for the child and her mother while in Canada could contact S Manbodh at 22-77800 or email ssmanbodh@yahoo.com for more information.
