The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

ELEVEN-year-old Ravyn Deveaux’s birthday wish is to be able to see again after she undergoes surgery on her eyes for the fifth time.

Ravyn lost sight in her right eye and has limited vision in her left due to her four year battle with Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare, serious disorder of skin and mucous membranes. It is caused by a reaction to a medication or an infection. The syndrome begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters. The top layer of the affected skin dies and sheds.
In November 2010, Ravyn began having seizures, and in an effort to control this condition, medication was prescribed. The initial medication did not have the desired effect, therefore another medication was introduced. Unfortunately for Ravyn, the combination of drugs led to Steven-Johnson syndrome. After being diagnosed, Ravyn was admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital and was later airlifted to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Florida for further treatment.

She suffered over 60 per cent skin loss of her body as well as well as blindness.

The surgery that Ravyn is now scheduled to undergo just three days after her birthday, September 21, will replace the cornea in her right eye and correct any other complications she has been experiencing.

The medical team at Baskin Palmer Hospital in Florida, where the surgery will take place, are optimistic that Ravyn will be able to see again. In addition to replacing the cornea in her eye, the doctors will also install a prosthetic lens in the right eye.

“Ravyn has had about five surgeries on her eye. She had two cornea transplants that both failed, and then she had a surgery to reconstruct her eyelids. Then she had a surgery earlier this year which was exploratory. They did the surgery to see what was needed for her surgery on September 24,” Girty Bullard, Ravyn’s aunt told Tribune Health.

“Ravyn has her moments and she copes as best as she can. She lost her mother shortly after being diagnosed, so sometimes we do not know if her (adverse reactions) are related to losing her mother or if they have to do what she is going through because everything happened right after the other. But she bounced back, because she has a great support system, great family and friends around her. They have been very supportive and that is how she copes,” Mrs Bullard said.

She said Ravyn, who attends the Salvation Army’s Erin H Gilmour School for the Blind, hopes to also attend regular school again.

“Ravyn had resistance initially when she was enrolled in the school, because before having Stevens-Johnson she could see perfectly. She figured she did not need to be in a school for blind children. so it took her a while to get a grip of the fact that she was blind and had to go to a school for the blind,” Mrs Bullard said.

Ravyn’s latest surgery is another costly endeavour for her family who is seeking the general public’s support.

“This is an expensive venture, but we believe it will be worth it when sight is restored to a little girl who is so eager to pick up where she left off prior to (Stevens-Johnson syndrome). Many of you have contributed before, and for that we are eternally grateful. The previous bill is still not paid off as yet, but we are trying to reduce as best we can in addition to meeting other obligations for Ray-Ray, such as the many doctor visits locally and in Florida along with her medication cost,” Mrs Bullard said.

“No contribution is too small and every dollar will be greatly appreciated as it will go a long way to assist us in achieving Ravyn’s desire to see again. If you are unable to give monetary assistance, we do request that you stand with us and Ravyn in prayer, believing that the surgery will be successful and that every financial obligation for this excited little 11-year-old will be met. As she looks forward to her birthday, let’s make it one that she will remember as the year she received her sight again.”

Donations can be made to the Scotiabank Wulff Road and East Street Account #21400 in the name of Louis Deveaux (Ravyn’s father). Persons may also send funds directly to the University of Miami Baskin Palmer Eye Institute Miami Florida C/O Ravyn Deveaux; e-mails can be sent to vision4ravyn@gmail.com.