Haitian earthquake survivor Marie Denise Asar recovers at the Community Hospital in Delmas with her new baby boy Jean.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, February 16 – On February 7th, 2010 I documented post-surgical rounds with Dr. Chris Whately at the American-run Community Hospital in Haiti (see images here). On that morning, I met one of the most remarkable patients recovering at the hospital, and discovered a truly astonishing story of survival following the Haiti earthquake of January 12, 2010.

Marie Denise Asar was 9 months pregnant at the time of the earthquake and was due to give birth within a matter of days. That’s when, without warning, the magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti at 4:53 pm. Marie found herself and her unborn baby trapped in the rubble of one of the thousands of poorly constructed buildings that collapsed in the earthquake.  It is unclear how long Marie remained trapped in the rubble. However, once she was found, it was determined that she could not be extricated from the collapsed building without amputating her right arm above the elbow. Emergency responders were forced to perform the amputation on Marie’s arm in the field . . . without anesthesia. It is difficult to comprehend the agony of what that experience must have been like for Marie.

Following her rescue, Marie was transported to the American hospital in Delmas where her wounds were treated. Remarkably, her baby survived the earthquake and resulting physical trauma, and was born in the hospital on February 2nd, perfectly healthy. Marie and baby boy Jean remained in the hospital together, among the other earthquake survivors, but were soon to be released.

Baby boy Jean Asar was born in the Community Hospital in Haiti after his pregnant mother was extricated from the earthquake rubble.

What I will remember most about meeting Marie and her new baby, is not the physical tragedy and emotional trauma of surviving the earthquake, but the resilience of this young woman. Although her emotional scars certainly run as deep as her physical ones, you wouldn’t know it from meeting her. Marie has an infectious smile, and the spirit of a proud new mother that suggests the ability to rise above the challenges she certainly faces in the weeks, months, and years to come. I cannot think of a more fitting story of human triumph over adversity.