Today we got a call from the occupational therapist that works at the District Hospital. He has been helping us with exercises for Brian and getting braces so that Brian can get the support he needs to strengthen his muscles and be able to do more controlled movements. He told us that if we had time he had a child that he was doing therapy with that he wanted us to take a look at. 

We went in and met Isaac. This poor boy has hydrocephalus and probably cerebral palsy as well. We sat down and talked to his father, Peter, and he told us yet another heartbreaking story of how difficult life is here for both the family and the child with disabilities. Isaac’s mother couldn’t take the stress and responsibility of raising Isaac so she left and they don’t know where she went. 

Peter also has two other children that he must provide for. So during the day Peter has to go to work and Isaac is left alone in their home in Matisi (another slum in the area) just lying on the floor until someone gets home. He spends long days without meals or any interaction just lying there. His poor little body is so stiff from lack of exercise. He can’t hold his head, sit or do any other movements. 

Issac had a surgery when he was 2 months old to place a shunt in his head to drain the fluid out of his head. The shunt goes behind the ear and all the way down into his bladder so that the fluid can drain. Luckily for Isaac, his parents identified that he had some sort of health issue at two weeks of age, which probably saved his life. 

Issac's shunt.

Pray for this sweet boy, who is still smiling despite his situation. Pray for his father to have the strength to keep working hard to provide for his family and that together we can find some way to help Isaac's situation improve.