Greetings! My name is Seniya Diane Fleming. I came here April 21, 2008 and spent the first three months and one day of my life at John Hopkins Hospital. I was born at Anne Arundel Hospital with multiple "surprise" abnormalities and needed an emergency airway. Not only was I a surprise to my Mom and Dad, but also I was a "mystery" to all the
doctors. According to them, I am the only known such case in the world, with no diagnosis still noted. One doctor said I have "Seniya Syndrome." I am missing part of my chromosome 1, which is usually passed down from a mom or dad but both of my parents have all their genes.
 
I was only home for a month before my triple bypass heart surgery on September 24, 2008. The doctors said I made a remarkable recovery
because I made it home in four days! I'll be back at Johns Hopkins soon for several other surgeries and studies on my fingers, jaw, ears, elbows, and possibly my left kidney (yeah, I'm a tough girl). As a matter of fact, I was rushed there recently by ambulance because my temperature rose to 105 and I began to shake. It was found that I had influenza, E. coli in my blood and kidney, and a urinary tract infection. As always, it is very difficult to find a vein in me so I had to have surgery to put one in my jugular AND ankle. They had a hard time getting my temperature down, even packing me in ice, but thank God, I am better now and home. During my stay, they found that the "repair" to my heart is not complete. I still have some holes that need to be monitored. So now it's back to therapy to help me catch up and begin to crawl, eat by mouth (I currently eat by g-tube), and to do other things girls my age are doing.
 
I may look "different" but I am very much like you. I am loved and I love back. Even though I have yet to make a noise, my big smiles and the look in my eyes let everyone feel the love I cannot speak. I raise my hands when I sleep to show my praise to God for all He has done and all those He brought together through me for HIS glory.
Actually, I feel pretty lucky I've been chosen to bring so many people together in prayer for little ol' me. So many people have done so many nice things for my family, my brothers, and me.
 
Speaking of my family, things have been very hard on them since my arrival. Not only do we have to catch a ride every week to go to Hopkins (we need a car), but also it's hard to leave me alone with the special care I need. I have a nurse, but that's usually at night, if at all. With all my machines, we now have an incredibly high electricity bill. My dad works two, sometimes three jobs, just to make ends meet, so Mom could stop working to take care of me. They were saving for a car but now have to pay back all the money Social Security gave them for my disability. Can you believe they said my dad needs to make less than two thousand dollars a month for us to receive help? With four of us kids and my mom, even I can figure out that doesn't add up! Mom is seeking other doctors outside of Hopkins to see if they can help me, but of course, that also is not free. God continues to provide so much for my family and we have a great team of prayer warriors, support, and well wishers. So, thank you in advance for your loving kindness, and I look forward to personally SAYING thank you one day.

Love,

Seniya Diane Fleming

New Community Church Of God In Christ - 12435C Mattawoman Drive, Waldorf, MD 20601 (301) 843-0551