Besides being extremely hot and humid I love India.
My mornings are spent painting at a hospital run by the organization I’m working with this month.
We always seem to attract quit the crowd of on lookers who are not bashful about staring.
For the first part of the month I spent my afternoons at a school encouraging students while they practiced their dances for Independence Day.
Now for my favorite part of the day…….
Polio Home!
Prior to the race I don’t think I have ever met anyone with polio mainly because we receive a vaccination for it. I am living in one of the poorest states in India and the majority of people live in villages where they receive minimal medical attention. Polio is more prevalent here but is still not accepted. When a person has polio their village will treat them worse than a stray dog. They are usually kicked out and left to die. Due to the lack of medical treatment most people with polio eventually end up walking like frogs.
All of the kids living at the polio home have been rescued from their situations and have received free medical care and reconstructive surgery. They also go through physical therapy and are fitted for handmade shoes that attach to their leg brace.
On top of medical care each child receives an education, clothing, and a place to call home.
Every day at 5:30 I go to the home and lead a Bible Study. Most of what I talk about is inspirational, encouraging or a wakeup call. I absolutely love the time I get to spend at the home and am going to truly miss playing games and getting my hair braided by them once I leave.
