— Those who know Reverie Barksdale of Athens know she’s bound to greet them with a big smile and a great sense of humor. The seemingly carefree three-year-old also has a number of knock-knock jokes up her sleeve.

Reverie, the daughter of Brent and Jennifer Barksdale, is a princess who spends most of her days playing mommy and at times annoying her big brother, Paxton, 5. But, Reverie’s days aren’t always easy.

Reverie has been diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sometimes known as chronic lung disease, and tracheal stenosis. She is scheduled to undergo surgery to rebuild her airway in March.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia can be a serious condition requiring intensive medical care. It is something that develops as a consequence of prematurity and progressive lung inflammation, according to her mother, Jennifer. It involves abnormal development of lung tissue and is characterized by inflammation and scarring in the lungs making breathing difficult and causing problems with lung function.

Her story starts in Korea, the place she was born before being brought to the United States by her adoptive parents.

“She was born at 24-weeks gestation,” Jennifer said. Reverie weighed a little more than a pound. “She was born in stillbirth and had no heart rate for 25 minutes,” she said. “One doctor wouldn’t give up. We say it’s by the grace of God that she came back.”

A miracle happened then. Now, the Barksdales are hoping for another one.

The Barksdale family has spent countless hours in the ER, have had several hospital stays and have their pulmonologist on speed dial. There are days when Reverie can’t catch her breath and tires easily. “A cold can be a very scary thing,” Jennifer said.

“We hoped as she grew, her airway would grow with her,” she said. “It didn’t. She has had several balloon dilatation procedures done and they were hoping that would expand and keep the airway open enough ... But, it hasn’t worked.” Jennifer said. 

Reverie will have to undergo airway reconstruction surgery developed by Dr. Robin T. Cotton at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Doctors will take cartilage from Reverie’s rib cage to rebuild and reconstruct her airway.

“The success rate is typically pretty good, but considering her history it is in God’s hands at this point,” Jennifer said.

Reverie is scheduled to be in Cincinnati March 19 for testing prior to the surgery. The procedure will take place March 21.

Reverie will spend 10 days in PICU before she is transferred to the Complex Airway Unit where she will spend anywhere from two to three and a half weeks. “It really depends on how well she is recovering and the progress,” Jennifer said. “After that we will have to remain in Cincinnati an additional two weeks to make sure everything is safe and we are able to return home.”

The trips will continue to Cincinnati for checkups. She is also scheduled for another surgery for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. “Her’s is so severe that when she was born they incubated her,” Jennifer said. “She has so much scarring and damage that they cannot repair it. They will probably have to remove a big portion of one lung and possibly a portion of the other lung.”

The Barksdales said if she can get through the first surgery, Reverie would then prepare for the other surgery.

Jennifer is a stay-at-home. Brent works in shipping at ITW Sexton in Decatur and is a Hazmat administrator.

“Financially, it’s been a struggle,” Jennifer said. “We started going to Cincinnati in November of last year. Each time we would go it was at least a week stay. We went three or four times in January.”

Jennifer said she would love to organize fundraisers, but doing so has been difficult. “If I take her out and expose her, she is at risk of getting sick,” she said. In fact, the family has to take daily precautions to ensure they don’t bring germs home.

The family will need the funds to afford traveling to Cincinnati. “We are trying to save a little each week in order to go,” Jennifer said.

Insurance will cover 80 percent of Reverie’s surgery. However, travel expenses and time off work will put a burden on the family. Brent has already used his vacation time for the year traveling to Ohio. He will be able to make the trip thanks to the Family Medical Leave Act. However, time off will be unpaid. “During her surgery, there will be no income,” Jennifer said. The family, like many, is already living paycheck to paycheck.

“I ask that as many people as possible pray for Reverie,” Jennifer said. “I’ve seen what prayer can do. She belongs to God and he is in complete control.”

Two silent auctions have been scheduled in Reverie’s honor.

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church will hold a silent auction and bake sale from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday, Feb 23.

Friendship Church will hold a silent auction during their pancake breakfast from 6 a.m. until noon, March 3, Reverie’s fourth birthday.

An account is set up at any Redstone Federal Credit Union branch in care of Reverie Barksdale.

To find out more about Reverie and her family, visit www.barksdale4.com. Donations can also be made on the website.