After years of watching the small boy struggle with his limited
mobility, Mansare’s family were excited to hear the news that treatment
for his condition was being offered – for free. Simone brought her son
to the Mercy Ships screening day where approximately 6,000 others had
gathered in hopes of receiving the help they needed.
From outside the gate Simone saw a large crowd and didn’t know if
they would be able to get through. However, Mansare — plucky despite his
young age — slipped through the gate and into the compound. He waved at
her from the other side. “If you can’t get through, I will go and stand
in line,” he called.
Once she got inside, Simone found Mansare standing in line by
himself, unafraid, waving her over to join his spot. “He has always been
brave like this,”
she said.
This bravery hallmarked his time with Mercy Ships. After he received
surgery Mansare spent weeks recovering and relearning how to walk. But
even sitting in casts for several weeks couldn’t keep a smile from his
face. After starting the physiotherapy program, Mansare was up and
running.
Dashing around the dock, his frayed sandals flapping as he ran – and
his laughter brought a smile to his mother’s face. “Look at him. Look at
him walk,” Simone declared. “He can really play now. Before, he would
get tired and come back after ten minutes because the other kids would
laugh at him. Now, I have to go find him at the end of the day and bring
him back home because he’s so happy to be out playing.”
The sight of an energetic little boy running and playing may not be
remarkable to many, but it’s one that Mansare’s family has always hoped
for.
“He loves his new body so much,” his mother said. But Mansare’s
change goes much deeper than appearances. Now, it’s a challenge to keep
him still, and his confidence and joy spill out into everything he does.
Mansare seems like a new boy, inside and out!
No comments:
Post a Comment