Week of  Nov. 10, 2013
Providing the gift of Mobility.

The sign out in front of the hospital reads: 'KURSI RODA GRATIS UNTUK ANAK.' Wheelchairs free for children. In this case LDS Charities the humanitarian name for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints provided wheelchairs for poor and needy children with Cerebral Palsy.

 

 The parents with their children, waiting for the opportunity to be measured for a wheelchair. Ensuring that it fits properly is critical. A poorly fit wheelchair can cause pressure sores, which can lead to infection inside the body and if a patient has cerebral palsy (or any paralysis, that limits their ability to feel) and can't feel pain in some parts of their body they don't know about the infection until is becomes a sore on the surface of the skin. At this point the infection is very severe and can require a lot of treatment, maybe hospital stay which they can't afford and can even be a cause of death. These children not only will receive a good quality chair, but it will be fit specific to them. A major priority the church expects in the quality of the wheelchair they give.

Children being measured . It will take 1-2 months for the wheelchairs to be built and then they will receive the gift of mobility....for many, the first time in their lives they have not had to crawl or be carried.

Desa is 9 years old.

Is it just me, or do you feel something sweet when you look at this mother with her son as he is measured for his own chair?

 This father brought this cute little girl in, and he spent the whole time holding her, looking at her, kissing her cheeks and talking to her. She loved it, she would smile right back at him. I thought she was maybe 2 or 3 because she is so small. I was very surprised to hear that she is 4 years old, almost 5. Her name is Sesa. Her father said that once she receives a wheelchair he will take her with him when he goes to work selling meatballs.

These two girls are twins, Nina and Nita. They were hard to tell apart, and I found out later this is the stepmother who was caring for the girls. She was amazing as she helped them all morning. I was told that the mother left after they were born. This amazing lady stepped in to become a mother to these two girls. There are angels among us.

This is 9 year old Rismawati.  I think that the parents may be more excited about the wheelchair. They have had  to carry her everywhere they go or she goes. It creates a huge burden on the family in multiple ways. It is hard for them to even work when they need to be so involved in the constant care of their child. A chair will give them some more freedom and because of the specific design for children with disabilities it will even hold her upright securely. They told me that she is getting very heavy to carry around. 

 

Below is 7 year old Ahmad. His mother is also very excited to be getting him his own chair.  "He is getting heavier every day," she tells the  translator. The wheelchair not only transports them, but also holds them up, gives them support ,which most of these children with CP need.

This is Dexvi, a cute girl that is 8 years old and her parents. She was a bit shy and refused to smile for the camera. But her mom had a beautiful smile for us. I asked Dexvi if she would like to have stickers for her wheelchair tray, she smiled and nodded yes. She says that she enjoys reading and coloring.

This little girl suffers from hydrocephalus, a swelling in the brain that can be treated. Yet for this family they can't afford the treatment which  would require surgery and use of shunts to help drain the water from the brain. It causes so many problems for the child, one of which is motor skill. We brought balloons and she had so much fun with it, she loved swiping at it. The wheelchair will provide a support for her back and head that she has never experienced before.

An opportunity for a photo shoot with the nurses.

The young elders joined us and helped visit with the children as they waited for their opportunity to be measured. As many of these children are almost completely immobile they were delighted with having someone pay attention to them.

   

In about 1-2 months we will be back to see these children receive there very own wheelchairs. Today was wonderful, but that day will be a great experience to behold.

 

 

The Limb Center

For many, a wheelchair is not necessarily the optimal option. Everyone would like to walk. Another wonderful blessing providing by the churches humanitarian funds is providing limbs to the limbless. Mostly legs, but in the picture below the technician was putting the final touches to an artificial arm for the young boy pictured below.

 

Willy, 13 years old lost his arm in a firecracker explosion during a holiday activity just 4 months ago. He loves to play soccer.

Lina, 19 years old. As a baby they massaged her leg wrong and broke her leg, causing nerve damage. She said that the many doctor appointments and visits to the hospital caused her to drop out of school. With her leg she is now planning to go back. She became emotional as we congratulated her on the opportunities for a new life! A wonderful gift....the gift to walk.

 We can never convey the feelings of actually being there and witnessing these special moments. The opportunity to walk on her own for the first time in her life.

 ....and the joy of being able to do so.

Daughter and father. They were so very appreciative.

 Vasdev is the director of the NGO, and walks out with Lina as she leaves the center walking on her own for the first time. It is a special moment in time, to be here and see these blessings unfold for men, women and children.

Daeden Muhamad Yusup.  2010 accident with a truck on a motorcycle. He will eventually receive limbs for both legs and the blessing of once again walking on his own.

The people come with anxious anticipation and leave with a smile. We feel richly blessed to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ, and in a small way do what he did, and would do were he here. To uplift the downtrodden, and bring hope to the hopeless.



                                    The Street Children.
It is estimated that close to 3 million children are left by their parents each day to 'fend for themselves,'  in Jakarta. The parents leave to work or to find work and are to poor to have their children attend school so they are left on their own in the streets. These families may make less than $3.00/day. We heard horrible stories that some of these street children can be locked away in their rooms at night because of the difficulty to control them. Not allowed to come out until the next morning. The same NGO that we work with on the limbs built this school. Starting just 2 years ago it now has 60 students. These children are taught among other subjects, english,  computer skills and manners.

 Of course if there are children, Sister Lucherini is going to be close. It is customary at a greeting for the children to grab your hand and touch their forehead or cheek. Pretty neat.

 You can't help but fall in love with these beautiful children. And it is hard to get Sister Lucherini away from them. If for now she can't be with her own grandchildren, she can love those she is with....and love she does!!

 Learning table etiquette and manners. A part of the instruction every day.
Vashdev said he only wishes he could help more children. You quickly realize there is always far more than you can possibly do. You can't help them all.....but you can help some.

Singing and dancing for us.