FABIENNE PERALTE

Fabienne Peralte
In August of 1999 our family received a call from Anne Wagenbach asking if we would be interested in keeping an 11-year-old Haitian girl named Fabienne Peralte. Anne told us that it would probably be just for a week or two, and then Fabienne would go stay elsewhere for her surgery. My parents agreed and our entire family began to get excited for Fabienne's arrival. We went to the airport to pick her up late at night. By then our family was getting pretty nervous and a little scared for what awaited us. We waited anxiously, worrying how we would communicate with this little girl. At around 11:00, Fabienne Peralte stepped through the door and walked straight into our hearts. She was dressed in all white, a little brown angel walking beside Dr. John Carroll.




	Fabienne (click to enlarge)

She was quiet on the ride home, barely looking at anyone. We were unsure of what to say or do and since it was late there wasn't't much time to get acquainted. Dr. John had told my mom that Fabienne had an unusually large heart murmur, so large in fact that there was an actual "buzz" when one put their hand over her heart. Fabienne's heart condition was fixable, and she had no physical difficulties before her surgery.


	The next morning everyone was doing his or her best to make Fabienne feel at home. She seemed to feel at ease with everyone but my dad! At mealtime when my dad would look at her she would become extremely shy and put her head underneath our table. This was very amusing to the rest of us! This behavior went away and my dad who she called Popi Clark quickly became one of Fabienne's favorites.




	A new sister




		Roller blading


	It was very interesting and fun to see what Fabienne would do in situations. One of her favorite things to do was to ride in the wagon behind our lawn mower (she later became the driver!) She also enjoyed listening to music on her headphones. She was also quite a dancer! She loved braiding and fixing up my sisters' hair. Fabienne also picked up a lot of English.




		Listening to headphones

She became good friends with Eve who was staying with the Kaebs, and later on Marie who also stayed with them. They helped us out with translating and Fabienne enjoyed having someone to talk to in her native language. Fabienne went in for surgery in September for a Ventricular Septal Defect. It seemed like hours before they finally told us everything was done. Dr. Geiss said everything went great, and that she should be fine. What a relief! Fabienne, however, really did not enjoy her short stay at the hospital. She disliked the IV in her arm and refused to eat. She recovered well and was soon back to normal.




	Having fun at McDonalds

She needs to eat but doesn't like the food !

Road to recovery

Fabienne and Marie

Shortly after her recovery, we took a trip to Indiana to visit the Catholic Church which sponsors Fabienne's church in Haiti. They have a medical team that goes to Belladere every year, and this particular team had found Fabienne, and had worked to bring her to the U.S.

With Willy & the Zimmermans

Cold day

By now she wasn't the quiet girl we had picked up at the airport! She loved being with family and friends, and was very energetic. She had found a place in everybody's hearts. Bethany and Fabienne became especially close friends. They were the same age, and Fabienne did everything with her. She helped Susan learn French, and enjoyed looking at her textbook. Marisa loved having a new sister and is saving her money for a trip to Haiti to visit her. I also enjoyed having a new sister and trying to learn how to communicate with her. My parents both had the opportunity to take Fabienne back down to Haiti. When the time came for a tearful good-bye in November, Fabienne left for her home and took a piece of our hearts with her that day. My parents had a safe trip down and back, and were able to see a glimpse of what Haiti is like.




	Air guitar




		Studying French with Susie




	Fabienne with the Leman girls - the photo used for their 1999 Christmas card.

Our family misses Fabienne greatly, but we know she is where she should be. We all look forward to the day when we can reunite with her again. We are so thankful for the time we had with her and will remember forever what she taught us and the memories she left us.

Written By: Marjorie Leman




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