Last time I wrote about Abraham, it was just after observing his surgery. This was a while ago! After surgery, the little guy was a little groggy from some of the medicines that he was on, so he was on bed rest from Friday through Sunday. (This is a long time for a squirrelly seven year old!) However, Monday was crutches day, where he learned how to make his way around with one clubbed foot, one healing foot in a full length blue cast, and two brand new crutches. Needless to say, he was a little shaky at first. Despite this, he was eager to enjoy this new rush of freedom. So, when I came down between shifts, he was ready to head up to deck seven. I was too.
Deck seven is our impromptu play area for the children on board until something better can be set up on deck eight. It's long and narrow, but has a few tricycles, and other such scooters. Abraham took a liking to a little black motorcycle and a little green car. He also took a liking to me pushing him all over the place from behind. It was more than slightly awkward for him to prop his cast up on the little vehicles, but he sure enjoyed whizzing around the deck. And with time, he even learned how to steer! I appreciated this. He was a happy camper up on deck seven in the fresh air and with the toys. At the end, it came time to head back inside and down four decks to the hospital.
We played outside on three different days before it was his turn to head home. He arrived on a Wednesday, and headed home the next one. He was still slightly shaky on his crutches, but could whiz down the hall when so desired, for example, play time on deck seven. Abraham will head home with a cast with a closed toe for added protection against the abundant water he will encounter this rainy season. He will also head home with a healing left foot and a healing identity.
Deck seven is our impromptu play area for the children on board until something better can be set up on deck eight. It's long and narrow, but has a few tricycles, and other such scooters. Abraham took a liking to a little black motorcycle and a little green car. He also took a liking to me pushing him all over the place from behind. It was more than slightly awkward for him to prop his cast up on the little vehicles, but he sure enjoyed whizzing around the deck. And with time, he even learned how to steer! I appreciated this. He was a happy camper up on deck seven in the fresh air and with the toys. At the end, it came time to head back inside and down four decks to the hospital.
We played outside on three different days before it was his turn to head home. He arrived on a Wednesday, and headed home the next one. He was still slightly shaky on his crutches, but could whiz down the hall when so desired, for example, play time on deck seven. Abraham will head home with a cast with a closed toe for added protection against the abundant water he will encounter this rainy season. He will also head home with a healing left foot and a healing identity.
I desire for Abraham to be accepted. There are stories from our little patients of rejection, of stones being thrown, of families being ridiculed for having precious feet like my little friend's. Months down the road he will be out of his cast and moving about. After this, he will have a trip to Sierra Leone courtesy of Mercy Ships to have his right foot operated on. I hope he gets to play outside again during his next stay. But more than this, I hope that he knows that he is loved no matter how his feet look.
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