An iconic story of a tiny baby
From the horror of Haiti has emerged an iconic story of a tiny baby, Landina Seignon, who somehow survived several near death experiences - and has been dubbed by the media as the “miracle baby.” Landina was found in the rubble of a paediatric ward of La Trinite hospital in Port au Prince two days after the earthquake. Other patients, several nurses and doctors died after being crushed in the rubble of the building that collapsed around her. A top British surgeon and trauma specialist knew if Landina was to survive she would need a specialist operation on her skull, which could not be done in Haiti. With her skull burnt through, her brain was at risk of an infection that would kill her. Together with British filmmaker Inigo Gilmore they evacuated her to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Her survivalist instincts kicked in once more. She soon began to thrive and put on weight. At the time of her evacuation none of her family could be located. Gilmore returned to Haiti to try to find her family and after being led down many blind alleys, he tracked down the mother to one of the poorest slums. Marie Miracle, just 26, had 3 other children from different fathers and was struggling to survive herself. Landina had been left by her mother. In late 2010 she travelled to the UK to be reunited with Landina and to speak with the charity that has been caring for the baby. Would mother and baby bond? Will Landina return to Haiti and should she? Is the mother willing and capable to look after her own child?
