Living in hell - the girl with 16-pound facial tumor

[Q]

I've watch a documentary about Marlie before, it's called 'Extraordinary People'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk7yEj4g5YI

Very interesting documentary to watch. Being born in Haiti where people still believe in curses etc, she and her family faced an extremely difficult time due to the enormous growth on Marlie's face, that lead the villagers in the area to think the family was cursed.

It was terrible for the family, and even worst for Marlie. Due to the growth, she refused to go out of her house and even had to quit school. It eventually became so heavy and painful that she had to support her head with her hands so that she can walk straight.

It was also her fortune that two Christian missionary nuns found out about her condition and help raised the funds and sent her for medical treatment overseas (as Haiti do not have a skilled consultant to offer the service). Now she have a new face and can lead a normal life.

It is no doubt, that as a Buddhist we believe in Karma. As the times we're in degenerate further, not so strangely we discover or new diseases (infectious, degenerative or genetic) surfaces. There are many diseases that we can classify as being imprisoned within our physical body. Take for example, spinocerebellar degeneration, a degenerative genetic disorder that causes all motor reflexes to degenerate in a short period of time from the time symptom occurs... causing the person to loose the ability to function physically but have a full functioning mental capacity. I think this is one of the most terrible disease... to be imprisoned within one's own body. Imagine, if you want to move your hand  but you just could not move it no matter how hard you try.

However, despite all the karmic manifestations that we can see physically... I believe the worst of it would be one that interferes with our mental capabilities... the disease of the mind is far worst than any disease that can take place in us physically. Although one may be physically disabled, it is still possible to practice the Dharma as the Dharma is mind transformation and can be done even if one is on a wheel chair. But to be mentally 'off'... even if the person is physically able, he/she will not be able to practice the Dharma as they may be cognitively incapable to do so.

Therefore, to avoid from such karma manifestation, we must hold our vows and commitments clean. Not doing any harm to others would be a start. And because we have lived for countless of lifetimes, we should always do purification practices to purify the negative karma that we have collected for countless of aeons.

[Manjushri]

Whatever karma we have created for ourselves comes back to greet us eventually. It could come back in this life or our future lives. What is important is that we have to be aware and weary of all our present actions because we do not know what can come back to us. Since we have our own future in our hands, might as well seize the opportunity to grasp it and make the best of it to ensure that we are 'secured' in the future.

Marlie has to face ridicule from all and on top of them, physical pain and discomfort. What karma she created for that result to take place, I am not sure, as its suffering on a few degrees. Also, the parents have to endure their karma too, of seeing their child having to go through the suffering and not being able to do anything about it. Not being able to take away the pain of their child, and being helpless. It is also a huge suffering for the parents. Until the karma exhausts, Marlie has to constantly live in fear of having a new growth of tumour. Because of her karma, she will continue to suffer from physical imperfections. But luckily for her, she can cultivate positive qualities to bring out her own perfections within herself. At lest she had the good fortune of meeting a great surgeon and have a charitable organisation assist in her medical bills. Charity is one of the kindness acts that we can engage in - to help others and relieve their suffering without needing anything in return.

[ratanasutra]

It sad to see what happened with her, base on Budhism she must has done something in her past life which we do not know and this is the result of it which cause extremely suffering in physical and mentally to her and her love ones. 
Karma is follow us like shadow, when is going to happen its just a matter of time. I hope that she will take it positive and able to go through it and create a new cause for a better in this life and future lives.