Over a year ago, we brought you the story of Brody, who entered Youth-Reach from a string of placements since being adopted from China at age three. Brody was likely surrendered to a Chinese orphanage due to being born with spina bifida and all the challenges that come along with that condition. After birth, the only treatment he received was a surgery to cover his exposed spinal column, and then he was placed in an orphanage. It was there that an American couple found him and filed to adopt Brody, later bringing him to live in America.
Brody came to us here at Youth-Reach from another placement that had been shut down (and the leadership arrested) due to the abuse and neglect of the children. Understandably, Brody came to us with more problems than just his physical handicap. He was untrusting, manipulative, and yet very hard-working. Despite his handicap, Brody would volunteer to push a mower all day and impressed everyone with his tenacity on the basketball court.
Beginning with our friend, Dr. Scott McKinney, we began to investigate how we might mitigate Brody’s handicap. A string of physicians, surgeons, and physical therapists from Texas Children’s Hospital were involved. All were amazed at Brody’s mobility in spite of a very awkward gait. But it was at the Shriners Hospital in Galveston where we finally received real help. After hours of x-rays, examinations and an exhaustive gait study, it was determined that surgical intervention was not the best course of action. Therapists and orthopedic specialists were able to construct a tailor-made carbon fiber brace, along with ingeniously and inconspicuously installing lifts in Brody’s shoes and boots. With these devices, Brody’s gait and mobility improved dramatically.
Brody is soon to age out of the care offered at Shriners, and he will be transitioning from our care here in Houston. Our prayer is that the love, embrace, and the Word planted in him will stay with him for life, and that he continues on a path of healing and success.
