Stem-cell transplants provide hope for family of blind girl

[usregimechange]

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Rylea Barlett was born blind six years ago today. Her optic nerves did not develop. She was diagnosed when she was a few months old. Doctor after doctor gave her no hope of ever seeing.

On July 4, the girl received the first of five stem-cell transplants. The stem cells were from umbilical cords. The transplants were done in a remote hospital in China.

Her mother, Dawn Barlett, was told not to expect anything for months. One week after the first transplant, her daughter was responding to the glow of a penlight.

“Three weeks ago on Sunday (Aug. 12), she asked me to get the penlight,” Barlett said. “She wanted to show me where the light was. She kept grabbing at it. She could see the high contrast.”

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_245195943.html


Globe/T. Rob Brown Larry Brothers, optometrist, checks the eyesight of Rylea Barlett, 6, at his office in Joplin. Since undergoing stem-cell transplants, Rylea, who was born blind, has responded to light.

[Crayson]

1. Hooray for Science!!

[GardeningGal]

2. That's a great article.

Nice to see the research being done and hopefully the little girl will continue to improve.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. This is lovely, but it's sad she had to go to China for help.

[Sadie4629]

4. Why did she have to go to China?

AFAIK, there are no restrictions on umbilical cord stem cells. Is it because it isn't an FDA approved treatment here?

[usregimechange]

5. Not sure, checking...

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. My husband's family is from Webb City

I am sure the fundies down there are going batshit crazy over this.