Life-changing global health story: If We Can Change Even One Life
- Kayla Williams
- Nov 28, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 11
It has taken me some time to think how I want to go about telling this story, because it's one that means the world to me. With that said, I want you all to know that this isn't about me or how I feel about it - it's about this child's life and how his quality of life has improved by just one simple thing. I don't want recognition or praise, I don't want you to see this as a thing we did for any other reason than because this boy is one of God's children and he deserves to be cared for just like any other kid in the world with this condition.
This is Eli, and this is his story...
Eli is 6 years old. He lives in a rural village in Guatemala. I don't know anything about his father, but his mom is one of the sweetest people I've ever met. If you've visited this village, you probably wouldn't have seen this boy out playing with the other kids because he suffers from a condition that severely limits his mobility and speech. A typical day for Eli involves sitting inside with his mom and watching the other kids play outside. Anytime his mom needs to take him somewhere, she has to carry him because he can't walk or even stand on his own - and she's been doing this for his whole life.
This is Eli and his sweet mom
And here's a look at his village
I first met Eli and his mom at an Extra Mile Pediatrics clinic in July of 2022, so a little over a year now. His mom quietly strolled in close to the end of the day. She didn't know what to expect and she didn't really think we could help her or her situation, but something brought her to us. What I think she really needed in this moment, was to see that there are people in this world that cared about her. For her child's entire life, she had been told by everyone around her that her son wasn't normal. Doctors told her there was nothing they could do, and this was just something she would have to live with. As she sat down at my nursing station, I instantly fell in love with this boy and his mom. I could see the pain in her eyes as she told me her story. With every word that came out of her mouth, more tears started to fall. It was in this moment, I got the feeling this might have been the first time someone ever sat with her to listen to her story. She had a story to tell, she had feelings about her son and her situation that needed validated, but more than anything I think she just needed somebody to listen to her.
This is the first day we met
Here's a couple more to give you a better idea of the village where he lives
The longer I sat with her, the more I learned, and the more I wanted to learn. She had been dealing with her son all on her own. She'd never had any assistance with his care - but she was trying her hardest to do what was best for him. Here's the thing too - her son understands. He can't speak and he can't walk, but he knows what you're saying. He follows commands and while he can't communicate like you or I would, he has his own ways of making his thoughts and desires known. Like the way he would stare at the other kids playing soccer across the room - I knew all he wanted was to join them. His mom knows this too. She knows he just wants to be like the rest of the kids - but all anyone has ever done is tell her how he can't be.
I spent a long time talking to his mom, and while she spoke with the medical providers I took Eli to do some physical therapy exercises with another nurse. Then when she was done talking to the providers, we showed his mom physical therapy exercises she could do with him in their house. I even had the opportunity to assist him in walking by supporting some of his weight so he could play soccer with some of the other kids.
Here's us doing some exercises with him
And playing soccer
This experience is not one that quickly left me. To be honest with you, I've thought about this boy and his mom almost every day since I left that place. It's the kind of place and the type of people that take a piece of your heart that you'll never get back - and honestly I wouldn't want it back.
I could look at this whole thing and be sad about how they have been treated, and the lack of care they have received. Instead though, I choose to look at this as a moment God placed me in for his glory. He knew my heart would break and bleed for this family - and if I can be a blessing to them in any way, that's what I'll do.
So after I got home, I started brainstorming & putting together a list of things that would help him and his mom. The best thing I could come up with were orthotics for his feet to keep them in proper alignment as he practices walking, special shoes to go with the orthotics, & and a walker. I was able to get all of those donated and a year later, almost to the day, with the help of Extra Mile Pediatrics, we were able to deliver those to him.
Now, I would be lying if I said I hadn't thought about this moment so many times throughout the year - but remember, this moment was not about me. It also was not about just dropping off a medical device & leaving. We drove to meet Eli and his mom. I was able to show her how and when to use the orthotics, and how and when to use the walker with him. We fitted it to his height, and luckily he'll be able to grow into it for several years since it's adjustable. We got to do a couple practice rounds with the orthotics, shoes, and the walker. It was rough at first, but I could see a spark in him that wanted to do it even though he knew it would be hard.
Here we are with the walker (also look how big he got in 1 year!!!)
And fitting the orthotics
Eli and his mom hopped on a tuk tuk with the walker and his new supplies to head back to their home, and we loaded up to drive away. As we headed back onto those dirt roads, I couldn't help but think - "did I do enough?". My heart both felt overjoyed that we were able to help to some degree, but saddened that I couldn't do more. My heart breaks for this boy and his mom and I want to give them the world - so giving them what I gave them felt so small and insignificant. I knew it had to be enough for now though, and by the grace of God I was able to at least give them the gift of showing the love of Jesus - which I know is always sufficient.
Then probably less than 10 minutes go by and we receive a message from his mom. It's a video of Eli using the walker for the first time. He took his own independent steps for the first time in his life with this walker. The minute he got home he couldn't wait to try it. At the end of the video I could see him blowing a kiss to us. This warmed my heart and filled me with such joy - and the doubt I was feeling just a moment before slipped away. This boy walking on his own felt like God winking at me, and I laughed to myself at the doubt I felt just a minute before.
Here's the video I received in the car
We may not always feel like we're doing everything we can. We might feel like there's always more that could be done - or maybe that's just me. But it's through God's imminent grace and mercy that I find peace. Peace that I'm right where He has placed me, and peace that He has a reason for it all. Peace in the here and now, peace with the past, and hope for the future.
So you probably thought this is where we were going to end...
I thought the same thing, until 3 days later when we received another video from his mom that brought me to tears. I thought my heart was full before. I thought I couldn't possibly feel any more than I already had. But this video changed that. I'll let you watch for yourself and I think you'll agree...
3 days after getting the walker and practicing, Eli INDEPENDENTLY - without a walker or assistance from anyone - went from sitting on the floor to standing to walking. ALL ON HIS OWN. This blew my mind and my heart wide open yet again. I serve such an amazing God and I will never take for granted just how much he surprises me sometimes.
This incredible little boy clearly had enough strength all along - he just lacked the confidence. How often do we have the strength, but just lack the confidence to try? We have imposter syndrome or we're afraid we won't be good enough. So in our minds, we've failed before we even took the first step.
The walker gave him the confidence he needed to step out and try on his own. How much had his life changed in only 3 days. With practice he'll be running and playing with the other kids. With time he will gain a mobility that will let him do things for himself. It won't be perfect and it will take time - but this boy's life has changed. I couldn't believe, yet again, the doubt I had days before. How I thought I wasn't doing enough. God took this moment to show me that anything you do for me and my glory, I will use and multiply it. I could see 1,000 kids in a clinic. I could see 10,000. The number doesn't matter and here's the thing - If I only saw this one kid - that's all that matters. If we can change even one life - that's all that matters.
Maybe it's cliche to keep drawing parallels and if you've stuck with me this far I'm so grateful for the fact that you're still reading. So here's my parallel.
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? Matthew 18:12
It doesn't matter how many people there are in this world that need help. There's a lot and we can't help them all. However, if we are able to help the ones we have been sent to help - that's what matters. It doesn't matter if we have 99 good sheep - we care about the one that got lost, we search for it, and we rejoice when it's found.
If I can show the love of Jesus to anyone God has placed in my path, if I can search for the one that is lost and needs found, then rejoice when he is found, if I can reach someone that nobody else can or has, that's all that matters - it doesn't matter if it's 10,000 or if it's only 1.
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