The Lame Not Only Walk, They Work
I ran across José at a local health fair the other day, and was blown away by what I saw. It’s a story of what $200, some resident medical assistance, and a few compassionate sojourners here can accomplish.
José was a normal 14 year old child who fell from a tree about 9 years ago–not that uncommon for boys in the presence of trees anywhere in the world. His back was seriously injured by the fall. Surgery at a hospital did surgically correct the problem. But, without rehabilitation therapy, José could only expect to “barely walk,” and lifelong difficulty with other normal bodily functions.
A year later, there was hardly any improvement. Two steps up and two steps down – that was the functional limit of mobility. A Honduran rehabilitation center was available. It would have meant a 3- hour trip away. His mother would have had to leave 3 younger children completely unattended for each trip. Those obstacles can easily be surmounted in the United States, but not in Honduras. Especially when there is no money to cover even nominal costs such as transportation.
An Episcopalian priest and his son, Jonathan, in La Ceiba decided to help. Jonathan went with me to visit with José about a year after the surgery. Jonathan was anxious to help. Jonathan arranged to have the essential device—stair steps—made so that José did not have to travel to do that part as well as the other therapeutic exercises.
José’s greatest grief was that he “would never be able to work” in the surrounding pineapples fields near his house to help his family.
Imagine my surprise, Jose is now walking again and has a paying full time job, which he obtained and holds on his own merit. Without that context, this video wouldn’t seem all that dramatic. But for José, it’s a miracle – this transformation of a functional disabled child into a productive worker with a rich future. The money was very nominal. And of course, without the initiative of that Episcopalian priest, Padre Brooks, and his son Jonathan, it wouldn’t have happened. We applaud the results of their responsible, proactive compassion!
If you have trouble viewing the flash file, you can download this video.
