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Huge, expressive liquid brown eyes filled Rute’s heart-shaped face and captured the love of Hilda Ettedgui. A warm rush of recognition passed between the tiny 13-month old baby girl from Ethiopia and the woman who cradled her gently in her arms on August 7, 2008 at JFK Airport in New York.
"It was as if she knew me," marvels Hilda, who was destined with her husband, Jose, chief of Pediatric Cardiology at Wolfson along with their daughters, Laura and Daniela, to become Rute’s American family.
Weak from heart failure and malnourishment, the thin, quiet little girl required two surgeries performed by University of Florida physicians at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, months of physical therapy, and, most important, tons of ITLC (Intensive Tender Loving Care). Five months later, it was time for their precious Rute to return home. With bitter-sweet emotions, Hilda and Jose flew with Rute to Ethiopia, where her parents waited eagerly for their little girl.
The reunion was shortlived. Rute refused to eat. She couldn’t sleep. She cried ceaselessly for her American family. Within three days, Rute’s parents had returned the child to Hilda and Jose, reluctantly begging them to become legal guardians for their daughter. “Her parents love her so much, they made the ultimate sacrifice” says Hilda, remembering that magical moment of recognition a year ago, when the life of her tiny child from Ethiopia hung in the balance.
Today, Rute is a robust, happy 2-year old - running, singing, playing and dancing non-stop. She is one of 31 children from around the globe whose lives have been enhanced immeasurably by the competent, caring, compassionate hearts and hands of Patrons of the Hearts. |
