Saturday, April 16, 2016

"Your son has a cerebral paralysis"

Those were the words Gaby heard Thursday morning. I sat next to her with her son on my lap as we both listened to the Doctors strong words.

...

About a week ago Gaby came to me wondering if I could recommend a pediatrician. She wanted to take her son in for a check up, her mothers intuition told her something was wrong. Her son, Josias, is 10 months old. He cant hold his head up, cant use his hands and can barely stand with someone holding him up. "Im concerned he isn't growing as fast as other babies his age" she said. So, I recommend a pediatrician in Ceiba and she went immediately. 

A few days ago, I got a phone call. She asked if I would accompany her to another doctors appointment, but this time at a rehabilitation center. We went on Thursday. As we sat in with the doctor, he told us the news. "Your son has a high risk form of cerebral paralysis." He was concerned, however, asking Gaby why she had waited until now to bring her son in. 

So here's what happened. Gaby attended all her checkups. She never missed a shot, vitamins, advice. At Josias 6 month check up the nurse told Gaby that her baby was "slower than most" but that he would grow into it. At a 10 month check up the nurse (the same nurse) told Gaby her son was behind, that he had a problem. Gaby, frustrated because the nurse told her he would "grow into it" is now telling her that her son has a serious issue. 

And thats the problem with the health center in Porvenir. They just dont care...Every morning starting at 5 am, people line up at the door to get a spot for the day. Doors open at 7 am. They only accept 15 people. If you dont get a spot, you have to come 2 hours early the following day. Then you wait all day until its your turn. If you leave, you loose your spot. Once you get inside, its chaos. There is only one doctor. The nurses do their daily routines. Its get it done and go home type attitude. Lack of knowledge is another problem. Ive had people go in with appendicitis and get diagnosed with a kidney problem.  Medicine? Forget it. Explanations or further information on a sickness? Dont even try. 

So when Gaby heard that her son was actually sick 4 months later, as any mother would be, she was frustrated. 

We left the rehabilitation center. They gave her a 3 month check up date and appointments twice a week with the physical therapist. As we walk out to the car, I asked her was she was thinking, or feeling. She just shook her head and said, 'nothing'. I wondered if she really understood how severe his condition really is. 

Then we got in the car and shut the door. Tears began to stream down her face. She picked up her sons hand and kissed him. We sat there in silence for a few minutes. Her heart was broken. "I didnt mean to wait to get him help" she says. "I just want him to be better". 

I tried to comfort her, telling her she did the best she could with the resources and information she had. I was hurting for her. 

The following day she had her first therapy with Josias. The therapist began explaining the process of his hands and feet massage. She expressed how important it is to do the therapy everyday at home. I watched from outside, seeing her smile, loving her child just how he is. 

Gaby is one of the 25 women in our beading program. She is one of the 25 fighting for the little things in life. She makes bracelets to buy diapers, formula and now, to be able to bus into town for her sons therapy. Id love to be able to tell her its pay day! Id love to sell some of her bracelets as well as for the other 24 women. 

Please, pray for Gaby, Josias and every women in the program. Because they all struggle, we all struggle. But we all deserve a chance. 




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