By Lindsey Quinn
Outgoing and beautiful, 17-year-old Karina has a passion for helping others. Sometimes, it’s just a warm greeting to brighten someone’s day. After all, she’s known as “the friendly girl with a bright smile” in her community center in Barranquilla, Colombia. Sometimes, it’s helping sponsored children get healthy; Karina has volunteered at both a CI dental clinic and at a medical clinic.
With a clear track record as a caregiver, no one was surprised when Karina focused on helping her mother, Eva, during her battle with ovarian cancer. What did surprise people, though, were the lengths she’d go to give her mother strength.
Concerned about her growing abdomen two years ago, Eva scheduled an appointment with a doctor. Unexpectedly, a diagnosis of ovarian cancer swiftly followed, along with surgery and treatment. “I had 10 liters of liquid taken out, and I was given a treatment with six chemotherapies.”
Although Eva approached her illness stoically, confident that the treatments would work, Karina grew more anxious for her mother when the doctor recommended several additional rounds of chemotherapy. “I did not tell anybody what I was facing because I did not like people to feel sorry about me. I almost failed my 10th grade at school due to the worry I felt and, even then, I did not tell my best friends.”
Fifteen at the time, the young girl struggled with the harsh realities of her mother’s illness and the frustration of not being able to help. Thankfully, though, the additional treatments worked: Eva’s cancer went into remission.
Karina finished her studies and moved on to university, where she began studying psychology. It looked like life was getting back to normal.
Earlier this year, though, Eva’s cancer returned. The mother of three immediately began chemotherapy. This time was different, though. Lacking the confidence she felt earlier, the treatment and its side effects weighed more heavily on her. Particularly painful was losing her hair again. Karina recalls her mother’s struggles with baldness, “She complained about the heat but she did not dare to take her head scarf away because she felt ashamed to be seen that way.”
Karina had a plan to help this time, “I wanted to show her that she could be without a head scarf. I did not want my mom to feel alone.” In an act of solidarity, Karina cut off her long black hair…and then shaved her head.
Eva was shocked. “I did not believe that she would do that because young women are very vain, and, at her age, Karina has many admirers. I did not believe that she was going to do it either because of her studies in the university. But, I felt very supported; it seemed to me a very courageous gesture on her part.” Eva adds, with much pride, “Karina is very brave. It gave me strength.”
A photo from Karina’s graduation. Eva, her mother, never believed her daughter would part with such beautiful black hair.
Karina shows the hair she cut off. The family intends to make the hair into a wig for Eva.
Shaving her head was just the beginning of Karina’s support. The young woman was determined to help her mother realize how beautiful she was, even without hair. This was no small challenge. “Women are very vain with our hair,” Karina admits. With a chuckle she adds, “I laugh at that…and when many people tell me that I look very nice [even without hair]!”
Karina knew that her mother needed more assurance. So, she took some photos with her mother to showcase their bald heads and then posted them on Facebook. Although she has limited access to a computer at her university, the social networking site is just as important to youth in Colombia as in the U.S. It was the perfect place to gather support for her mom.
Although Karina couldn’t watch the positive comments roll in like American teens, friends and family – even some strangers – quickly responded to the photos. Such instant support was a great comfort to Eva, who began to feel more confidence in her appearance.
Eva continues her battle with cancer. Although enduring the struggle is difficult, Karina’s support has lessened the burden.
Karina is pleased she’s been able to help her mother. She also acknowledges dealing with her mother’s illness has taught her a lot about humility and character. Parting with her long hair forced Karina to interact with others in a new way, “Everybody who looked at me was shocked.” Yet Karina quickly realized that people could see her for her personality and intellect – not just as a pretty girl. “Others would stare at me then say, ‘I like your attitude.’”
The experience has taught Karina another valuable lesson – perseverance. It’s a lesson more young people should learn, she says. “There are people who ‘want to die’ for every insignificant event that happens to them, especially youth who believe that their world is over after a breakup. I wanted to show those people that there are things truly serious that occur in the life of a person…but even with these serious events, we have to keep going in our daily lives.”
Reporting assistance and photos by Patricia Calderón of Barranquilla, Colombia.
Hoping to bolster her mother’s spirits, Karina took some photos and posted them on Facebook. Compliments and support soon flooded in, helping Eva recognize her beauty, even in the midst of treatment.
