The toddler, born in December 2004, suffers from a rare congenital condition known as Fraser’s syndrome, which left her eyes completely covered by skin, one of the more dramatic features of the disease.

Her mom, Charmaine Walker–Davis, is convinced her 16–month–old daughter can distinguish shadows and light, but as for being able to see, that question remains unanswered.

“The doctors performed a visual function test. She has a little visual function in both eyes. According to an MRI, the optic nerve and the brain aren’t connected so doctors can’t explain how she responds to light,” Mrs. Walker–Davis said.

When out in the bright sunshine, little Kaitland will actually shield her face and her mother recalls her shaking a hand in front of her eyes to make the shadows flicker, which usually resulted in giggles.

The first step for the doctors in July will be to make a small incision to check on the viability of Kaitland’s eyes and her ability to see, her mother explained.

“Then the doctors have to figure out how to keep her eyes washed since they don’t think the muscles in her eyes are functional,” Mrs. Walker–Davis said.

“They can close her eyes again or replace them with silicone eyeballs for cosmetic reasons. But then, she won’t be able to see any shadows or respond to light.

“The doctors aren’t sure if they can give her eyelids, and if her eyes stay open all the time, she’d be susceptible to infection,” she said.

“After surgery, that is the part I’m worried about. Anything can happen because it’s a rare thing and new to the doctors. If she gets an infection, she will need treatment,” she said.

“I’m scared, nervous and very worried. It’s very frightening. I don’t know what to expect as so many different things are likely to happen.

“I probably won’t be able to get a US visa for my mother or husband, so I’ll be on my own with Kaitland. I find that very hard to think about – having to go through her surgery alone without any support from my family,” she said.

“She’s walking around on her own and can find her way around the house. She’s always walking towards the open doors and windows where there’s light. If we close the door, she gets angry.

“She plays a lot with her brother. She can say ‘da da’, ‘baby’, ‘na na’ and she’s learning to say ‘mommy’. She’s very happy.

Due to earlier fundraising efforts, the costs of surgery will be covered, but the family still has to pay for Mrs. Walker–Davis’ living expenses while in Miami with her daughter and any additional follow–up care.

“I would like to thank Butterfield Bank, FirstCaribbean Bank, the Caymanian Compass, Kirk Office Equipment, Rotary Sunrise, Walkers and Shauna Haylock of the Early Child Association.,” Mrs. Walker–Davis said.

Mrs. Walker–Davis, who was a pre–K teacher at Grace Christian Academy before Hurricane Ivan, thanked all the parents from that school for their help.

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