Why do we treat “disabled” or “special” people so poorly? We avoid them like it’s the black plague or we’re going to get the disease they have. I have had the opportunity in my life to work with special needs and have loved every minute of it. All they want is to have someone acknowledge them, or let someone tell them I love you and I care about you. This month in Cambodia, I worked with 4 amazing little kids. They opened my eyes up to treating everyone with compassion whether or not they have a disability.
I got to walk into a room and get huge hugs from a little boy named Sammy. Sammy is severely autistic, and was blind when he was born. Luckily, he had surgery to where now he can see. He is so joyful! All he wanted this month was for someone to hug on, climb on, and swing with. His laugh brought me so much joy.
Every morning I had an opportunity to stretch, laugh with, feed, and love on an adorable girl named Tina. She was diagnosed with severe cerebal palsy. When we walked in the first day, she wasn’t able to move her right leg over her left. It was stiff as a board. Throughout the month with continual stretches and getting her to sit properly, she is now almost not touching her other leg. Tina is always laughing at the most random moments, she even laughed at my outrageous stories I told her. When we’d take her for walks or put her in the swing, all she would do is laugh. Her laugh is so contagious! She truly is an amazing little girl!
Theda was one cute little girl. She was the youngest of the group. She was so good at rolling on the floor towards you and stretching. She always was the first one done with her milk in the morning, and loved going for walks. Her smile was so cute, for most moments she’d just want to be picked up. We tried our hardest not to pick her up, but sometimes just had to give into holding her!
Hope was my girl this month. Hope every morning would play with her magna-doodle and played catch with her yellow ball. She was so joyful! She stole my heart; she always wanted to learn her letters and just laugh. In the middle of the month, she had her normal check up and we found out that she had tonsillitis. In the middle of the week, her face started swelling up and she wasn’t getting any better being on antibiotics so I took her to the doctor again for the 3rd time and they tried getting blood from her at the clinic, but couldn’t so she was rushed to the hospital. She sadly is still at the hospital and I couldn’t say goodbye to her, but she’ll be home on Tuesday. Please lift her up in prayer that her immune system would work and she’d get better soon. She is so full of joy and life, we’re praying for her to be able to walk someday! 🙂
In my time at BYKOTA house I’ve had my heart and eyes open to truly loving “special” or “disabled” people. I have learned to give people a chance, to not judge them by how they look or what they wear. We are all the same, human beings. I’d encourage you to give people a chance; you never know what the outcome might be.
Update on finances: I am currently in need of $2500 to be fully funded. I’ve given myself the deadline of April 11th to be fully funded. I know I am called to finish this race. I am asking for your help for the last bit. I am so thankful to every cent that’s come in for me to even be able to do this. If you feel led to give, go to the tab on your left and click on “Support Me!” I can’t thank you enough!
