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When her daughter Okeliah Braham was born last year, Sharifa Castell gave her the nickname 'Miracle' because she only weighed two pounds.

"The baby was born prematurely. I delivered her at six months through C-section because I had preeclampsia (a condition in pregnancy that gives high blood pressure). I couldn't keep her any longer," said Castell.

But Okeliah was not out of the woods yet.

"Because she was premature she have a condition called retinopathy of prematurity which can lead to complete blindness," said Castell.

The disorder results from abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina of premature infants. It usually affects infants born before 31 weeks of pregnancy and they are most times underweight, like Okeliah.

"The baby was born on June 28, 2019, and I got her September 3 because she wasn't developed properly, so they had to keep her," she said. "I wasn't expecting that after such a long fight my baby would come out and not be able to see me. Right now she have a cloud in her eyes."

Castell said it has been rough for her as she contemplates that her baby girl may lose her sight if a surgery isn't done.

"When I take her to UHWI (University Hospital of the West Indies) and when the ophthalmologist check her eyes, them say she have to do surgery because the retina tear from the back," she said.

Trying all means

Castell said she was told that the hospital doesn't offer that type of surgery. "So I have to go Cuba to get it done so I want to raise the funds," she said. "I have been trying all means because it hurts so much."

Castell, who resides in Caymanas Garden, St Catherine, said she is trying to raise J$1.3 million to cover the cost of surgery and travel expenses to Cuba before mid-August or September.

"Whoever wants to reach out and donate to give my baby a chance to see it would mean so much to me," she told THE STAR. Castell said that Ophelia is a happy child, but she fears for her daughter's future.

"She do her stuff same way, she laugh and play and it makes me happy. But I guess eventually she's gonna ask 'mommy what's happening?' and I will have to explain to her," Castell said. "So that's why I'm trying my best to help her so I can at least say 'baby, I tried my best'. I'm stepping out with faith that everything will work out fine."

Those who wish to donate may contact Sharifa Castell at (876) 864-1676 or by email at wisdomcastell25@gm ail.com