Lens Kirby’s mother has been
bringing him on and off to outreach for the past 4 years. When they first
started coming Lens Kirby had overall all low tone and was unable to stand or
walk. He had a difficult time sitting due to poor trunk control and head
control but loved playing with toys. Lens Kirby had good use of his hand to
reach for, pick up, & play with toys. He has bigger head due minor hydrocephalus which
makes neck control difficult. Lens Kirby also had a visual impairment that
caused his eyes to turn to the side. Through therapy the first 2 years Lens
Kirby overall gained strength, increased control over body and specifically he was
able to sit to play with toys, stand/walk with support, and was able to have
needed eye surgery to straighten out his eyes. 2 years ago Lens Kirby was doing
GREAT!
Last year when I returned his
family had stopped bringing him to outreach. I found out he had a broken leg
and had been in a cast for months. We helped Lens Kirby get the medical care he
needed and I saw him a few times that summer. One thing I noticed was how BIG
Lens Kirby was getting and how he had much less alertness than I previously
remembered. That summer I really did not get to work much with Lens Kirby but 1
encounter that sticks out from that summer was during Bible Study at the end of
outreach. His family did not want to stay for Bible Study (which we do at the
end of every outreach) because they are not Christians and do not believe. I
kindly let them know that it was part of outreach and that it would not hurt
them to listen to the study and join us in prayer. My heart began to hurt for
this family…I can’t imagine raising a disabled son in a country that sees him
as worthless, cursed, possessed without the Love, Encouragement, & Hope of
Christ to lean on.''
This year I did not see Lens Kirby
or his family until September. They randomly showed up one week (I think
because Lens Kirby was sick). I quickly realized how much Lens Kirby had
regressed. He now has limited head control, was unable to sit up on his own,
unable to weight-bear through feet or stand supported, unable to hold toys in
his hands, and no interaction (just had a glazed look). As we talked I found
out that Lens Kirby had been having seizures for years & did not bring him
to us and these seizures had taken away so many of his skills, personality, and
interaction. The sad part is we have medication that would have prevented this.
His family didn’t have Hope and so stopped working with him at home and thus he
regressed a lot…losing many of the skills he had gained. Sadly due to his
increasing size it will be hard for him to regain many of those skills.
Presidue had a stirn but graceful talk with them. He told them we were here to
help but only when the family does there part. We will let Lens Kirby back into
the program, provide the needed medical assistance they came for, get him on
seizure meds…only if they start bringing him back to outreach on a consistent
basis. Mom stated how many skills Lens Kirby had lost and it was tough to
inform her that this is what happens when you don’t work with him and reminded
her that he needs to practice his skills daily. Over the past few months we
have worked on strengthening his legs in standing, stretching to keep him
loose, worked on sitting balance and provided him with sensory stimulation (through
swinging, bouncing/rolling on therapy ball, and massage/vibrating brush).
I had the privilege
of visiting Lens Kirby at his home. They live fairly close to the mission. Dad
is still in the picture and has a job (I do not know what type). They have a nice
little house that has a couple rooms, cement floor and good roof. They are in
the process of building an addition as well. I had fun sitting on the ground
outside the house playing with Lens Kirby with some of the toys I had brought
with me in my backpack. Lens Kirby’s brother came home from school while we
were visiting and wanted to play with the toys as well. As we were visiting I
remember that previously she stated she was not a Christian & did not want
to participate in Bible Study. But during the visit she said she was a
Christian. I proceeded to ask her how I could pray for her and after a while
she stated for her son to be better. I went over therapy ideas at home to help
him with standing. We had a good time of prayer & then were able to bless
their family with a solar power Christian Radio from radio 4VEH with the MP3
version of the New Testament on it!
I absolutely love watching Lens Kirby’s mother interact with him. She is always there to help me when I am working with her son and as you can see in the pictures she adores her son! Please keep this family in your prayers
·
Pray for Lens Kirby’s health- protection from
illness, that his seizure meds would continue to work, etc.
·
Pray that Lens Kirby would continue to gain
skills, increase his core-strength, increase tolerance of weight-bearing
through legs, have increased control over his body, and gain increased strength
every week through therapy
·
Pray for Lens Kirby’s family to grow in their
love for God and understanding of His word and In God’s word they would find
peace, hope, and encouragement.
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