A 4-year-old Iowa girl who was blinded and nearly died after catching the flu has regained her eyesight, family members announced this week.
Jade DeLucia, who didn’t receive a flu shot this season, got sick late last year and eventually suffered a seizure and became unconscious.
She was diagnosed on Christmas Day with acute necrotizing encephalopathy, a known complication of viral infections, like the flu, which caused her brain to swell.
“They said she had significant brain damage. They said our child might not ever wake up, and if she did, she might not ever be the same,” mom Amanda Phillips told CNN at the time.
On New Year’s Day, Jade woke up — but was unable to see.
About two months later, on Monday, relative Courtney Frey announced that Jade’s sight had returned.
“The miracles continue for her!!!,” Frey posted in a Facebook group called Jade’s Journey.
But Jade was “still showing signs of brain damage,” Frey wrote.
“She is not the great independent conversationalist who knows her numbers and letters, but we are continuing to believe and hope in her full recovery,” she wrote.
“She is full of love, giggles, and snuggles and is an incredible light. We don’t take that for granted!”
Jade’s mom added to CNN: “She’s doing awesome. We’re excited no matter what.”



