Written by: Rhonda Nisbett Pierre, Public Health Liason at myLIFEspeaks
Listen to the audio version of this story, here.
I get calls, messages, and emails for referrals constantly for patients in need of rehabilitation. One morning I received a call from a doctor in a nearby town who had had a mobile clinic about 30 minutes from Neply.
He said he just saw a child who had a leg injury a year ago and now couldn’t stand or walk. He heard myLIFEspeaks offered physical therapy services and was wondering if he could send this boy for evaluation. I agreed but didn’t give him any guarantees we could help, especially given the length of time since the injury happened.
The boy never showed up, so I forgot about it. A few days later, the doctor called to apologize that he got word the family wasn’t able to make it because transportation fell through. He asked to try again. I said “sure”, thinking again there was a 50/50 chance I would ever see him.
The next day, I was notified there was a mom and a child waiting to see me. I walked into myLIFEspeaks commUNITY center to see a 10-year-old boy being lifted off a motorcycle and carried inside with his mom following behind, carrying a thick file folder of papers and x-rays. I’m introduced to this young boy, Roman Innocent.
While examining Roman, it was quickly obvious there was more going on than just not being able to stand or walk. He had multiple open wounds on his right leg, left leg, and hip. One wound on his knee was so deep I could see the quadricep tendon. His left leg was unable to flex at the hip or knee.
His mom sat quietly as I read through the medical chart she brought. Upon reading and inspecting his wounds, I came to understand he most likely had chronic osteomyelitis or a bone infection that started around a year ago.
The infection likely occurred after a simple fall while playing soccer in which bacteria managed to enter through a scrape or cut on his leg. I asked his mom about Roman’s hospital history.
“They told me there was nothing more they could do. Take him home to die… And if he doesn’t, then maybe you can bring him back and we will see if we can do anything else.”
“They told me there was nothing more they could do. Take him home to die… And if he doesn’t, then maybe you can bring him back and we will see if we can do anything else.”
I looked into Roman’s and his mom’s eyes and told them, “I know it’s hard to trust and you don’t know me. But I won’t give up because I believe in God and He doesn’t give up on us.”
I gave him a walker and taught him how to use it, telling him to practice standing. I assured him we wouldn’t give up on him. I asked them if they believed in God and Roman’s mom said she did, but it was really difficult where they live because her home is surrounded by people who believe in VouDou and they tell her every day that she believes in a God that has done nothing for them.
But that isn’t true, because God has been there every step. He never promised it would be easy or that we wouldn’t face hardships or the testing of our faith. I told them that day that it wouldn’t be easy but God is here and God has a purpose for Roman and kept him alive for a reason.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
In James 1, we read that through perseverance in tough times we mature in our faith and are able to stand strong. God does not give up on us. God is here and we have to lean into Him.
We have to seek Him and stay strong in our faith in Him. If we give up on God, we give up on LIFE.
Roman was helped by myLIFEspeaks and our ministry partners and was able to undergo multiple operations and receive the medical care he needed. His leg still has the presence of an underlying infection that we continue to work on and pray for complete healing.
However, today by faith and God’s Grace, Roman is able to stand, walk, and run!
Read Roman's Story here.
Psalm 86:9-13
All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord, my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.
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