Baby Born without Eyes and Had Half Her Brain Removed Shocks Doctors by Thriving

Harlym Carter had the odds stacked against her. She’s a baby who was born without eyes and who had half her brain removed. But she shocked her doctors by thriving. In the extraordinary journey of Harlym Carter, it becomes evident that there is a divine plan at play. 

Born against the odds, with a set of challenges that would daunt many, Harlym's story is one of resilience and triumph. Allyanna Carter, a young mom, emerges as the perfect vessel for God's plan, showcasing unwavering strength, love, and dedication in the face of adversity.

RELATED: 16-Year-Old Girl Born Without Arms Proves She Can Do Anything She Puts Her Mind To

The Inspiring Story Of Harlym Carter

At 19, Allyanna found out about her pregnancy in November 2022, and the baby nestled in her womb seemed to be thriving. 

However, it was only during the delivery on July 22 that the shocking revelation unfolded. And it would forever change life as Allyanna had planned it.

Harlym Carter looked perfectly healthy at the scan. However, at her birth, the child arrived without eyes, a condition known as Anophthalmia. Doctors also discovered the left side of her brain was underdeveloped.

RELATED: Baby Girl With Often Fatal Disorder Continues To Fight And Family Wants Her Story To Bring Hope

“I was absolutely heartbroken. I was thinking about how she’d never be looked at as regular,” Allyanna said. “It was very hard for me — but when she was transferred back to the NICU, I was told she had a lot of other conditions, and I thought, ‘I’m going to love her anyway,'” she added.

The challenges continued when Harlym Carter had a seizure at just one day old, leading to the confirmation of her anophthalmia. A subsequent CT scan revealed the underdeveloped left side of her brain.

Not Just Surviving, Thriving

Despite the heartbreak and initial doubts about her ability to thrive, Harlym's resilience prevailed. Allyanna faced the difficult decision of a hemispherectomy in August to disconnect the left side of Harlym's brain from the right, resulting in permanent weakness in her right side.

Doctors had cautioned Allyanna about Harlym's potential limitations. They told Allyanna her daughter would likely never talk, walk, or use the right side of her body. However, Harlym Carter has defied those expectations, almost crawling, sitting upright, holding her head up, babbling, and even drinking from a bottle. This precious little girl copies her mother's actions and displays an overall happy demeanor with big smiles and coos.

“Above all, she’s so happy,” Allyanna shared. “She loves everybody, she laughs at everything — and she loves being held.”

Despite the challenges and the stress of contemplating the experiences Harlym might miss out on, Allyanna remains focused on the positive. She cherishes the moments of joy and progress, emphasizing Harlym's ability to bring laughter and love to everyone around her.

In the grand tapestry of life, God's choice in pairing Harlym Carter with Allyanna reflects a divine master plan of the strength, compassion, and love required for this unique journey.

Their story serves as an inspiration, reminding us that in the most challenging circumstances, love prevails. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Baby Was So Tiny Doctors Used a Sandwich Bag to Save Her But Just Wait to See Her Now

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well,” Psalm 139:13-14. 

LISTEN: Stranger Finds a Newborn Baby Inside a Plastic Bag | TobyMac Shares the Story of ‘Faithfully'

h/t: New York Post

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Allyanna Carter

Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.