Monday, February 8, 2010

hanging at the hospital- with Jean Wendy




I haven't been needing to spend as much time at the Embassy the past few days and things at the clinic have slowed down a bit. well, they are starting to do more work out in the field instead of bringing everyone back to the clinic. so all the nurses and docs are still busy and needed... just not much for me to do there! so i've been spending some time over at the hospital (the boys orphanage turned "hospital", where all the inpatients stay). i love spending time over there and getting to know some of the patients a little bit. the first time i really spent a good chunk of time over there was Saturday. As I sat and watched some of the kids play "memory" a little boy on the next cot started crying. I went to pick up him and try to comfort him.

I was surprised when I picked him up- he was completely dead weight. At first I thought maybe he was just asleep, really asleep, or was just coming out of anesthesia.
But I couldn't get over how completely limp he was. And I saw no obvious injury. So I asked someone what was wrong with him, why he was here. Most likely the result of an infection, this little boy had recently gone completely paralyzed.
His name is Jean Wendy Joseph. He is 3 years old. The doctors were hopefully that with the right treatment the paralysis could be reversed. And I think things are looking good. Jean Wendy has already made improvements since the first time I picked him up. At that point, he couldn't hold up his head.
I cannot imagine the fear of going through something like this. One day, you are an overall healthy person- walking, running, playing. Then the next minute your body is no longer responding to your brain. You can't walk. You can't sit up. You can't feed yourself.

But Jean Wendy is a brave little boy. And he has an amazing family that has been by his side.
Yesterday, Wendy was able to make some small movements with his hips and one hand. Everyone got excited-- including him, that was obvious by the huge grin on his face.
And things only got better. Some of the doctors/nurses got creative and made a special chair for Wendy so he could sit up.
He can get out of bed and watch movies with the other kids. Now he was really grinning from ear to ear!! Please pray for Wendy that he would continue to heal and make a full recovery. Pray for his family that they would give him the support he needs. I know many of you have been praying for Heartline and for the doctors and and volunteers here. Thank you. Even when you don't know specifically how or what to pray for-- your prayers are so important. And miracles are happening.

3 comments:

The Rigelsky Family said...

Father, you know Wendy. You created him, you love him. Before he was born, you knew him. We ask God that you would make his body whole. We ask that you would take every atom and every cell and every ounce of him and align it back to the way you designed. We pray for supernatural strength. Every muscle every ligament every tendon strengthened. We ask that you would take every part of his brain and make it fire according to your purpose. God in the name of Jesus we speak healing over this sweet boy. I pray that you would speak and show yourself to him in a way that he understands. I pray that his family if they don't know you would come to know you through this. And I ask that you would show your goodness and mercy and kindness to him. I thank you that you have placed this beautiful woman of yours in Haiti to minister to your people. God we love you and thank you in advance for what you are going to do. Amen.

angela said...

i saw the chair on beth's page but didn't understand the whole story! thank you for sharing. what a sweet smile he has. m'ap priye pou li kouneya.

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