Strength of Faith . . . Strength of Character

Kyle Pabico

How one could imagine, a child having physical difficulties could manage to stay on top of the others, making his way to a more challenging life. Would you  believe that these things happened in an unexplainable way that no one can tell God’s Master plan for  what is happening in one’s life?

We don’t have the courage to face it, but God is leading us to have it. Our strong faith in God gave our son courage. I would like to share you a story, my son’s story, our story.

Years back when he was a small child, about 3-4 months old, my son ,Kyle Jeremiah Pabico, was operated on his ambilical hernia.

First time in the history of La Salle Medical Center (Dasmarinas Branch) to have an operation on such a young child. We don‘t have a choice, rather than seeing my son suffering caused by his ambilical hernia.

We were obliged to give permit for his operation at the said hospital. It is another test of faith, another test of courage, and  another success. All things were settled.
 
It seems, our faith was being tested to its limits. We noticed that our son’s physical behavior wasn’t that normal. His legs were not so active, and we saw him always lying on the bed. Rolling as well as  crawling was too difficult for him. He can’t move  his legs.

Before it‘s too late, we brought him to the same hospital where he had been before. For more opinions about his real condition, we went to Makati Medical Center, to Asian Hospital in Alabang, to PGH, and to Orthopedic Medical Center. No one can tell exactly what it was.

How many more doctors shall we ask for guidance? How long shall we be searching for an answer? How many more drops of blood will my son give for multiple laboratory experiment? How many more needles will he bear to take the pain? How many more times will he cry that loud for fear of the doctor with that needlepoint?

Oh God, it seems our hearts will break. We did not know what to do, nor where to seek consolation except on the Almighty. God is there always to comfort us, to give more strenght and courage, to patch our back and say, “I am here.”

Sometimes my wife and I just cried in silence thinking about all these. Good thing, God gave us more courage. Our son was diagnosed for a minor hydrocephalus – the presence of water in the brain, making his head to grow bigger giving us fear as to what might happen to him knowing that this is very crucial. And so we were obliged again for daily checkup to monitor his head.

In addition,  he underwent physical and speech therapy 2-3 times a week. Whew! another long way to go, but we concluded  the procedure must go on to for the sake of our son’s comfort and well-being. Crying, then smiling, we uttered, “Thank you God for being on our side always.”
 
So things went on as it should be. There was no water on his head. During his daily laboratory checkups, the doctor found out that it was just an air pressure, affecting the ability of my son to walk. And so, once more,  the sacrifices of my son began: school, clinic, therapy, hospital.

My son was considered as a special child. Thinking more of this gave us a problem. much trouble. But God is there giving us more wisdom. How many parents can withstand seeing his/her child undergoing  medication  in the therapy room? Some would not have the courage to show their children having the same situation.

Others may feel so ashamed to tell the world that their son/daughter are like my son, But we, we are so proud that here we are, facing the situation, facing the reality. God has given us all the courage we need. It’s all the power our son needed  for him to survive.
 
My son’s journey didn’t end there. Just two years ago when I went home to the Philippines, I am based in Riyadh, he got these kawasaki disease, a disease that gave him a 50/50 chance to live. At the onset, we thought it was just an ordinary chicken fox or something.

But when we brought him to hospital, the doctors said it was a kawasaki disease, and he needed medication immediately or else it would be too late. Hearing what the doctor said, we found our minds seeking for an answer, seeking for comfort, thinking that after those so many years of life’s challenges – here we are for another problem.

I can’t control myself, tears fell from my eyes. I just hugged the bag I was carrying. My wife confronted me. We have to move on, lest my son’s life in danger.  The doctor  instructed us to act as fast as we could.

After seven days of medication, we were already financially incapable. We have spent what I have brought from my work. But God is so great… so great that when you ask Him He will give you what you are asking for. God led us to friends who we were able ask for help. I asked my boss abroad for an advance pay and he gave it to me without any conditions. But there was another test of faith. There was no medicine available.

Walking down the road, my knees started to weaken.  I thought of my self, “ What is this, a labyrinth ?” I just whispered, “God, please help us!“ Then I called my wife and informed her about the situation. To my amazement,  a person told my wife the name of  another pharmacy where we can buy the medicine my son needed. Ah ! What Great God we have!

My son got well, as if nothing was happened. He was given the required prescription on time. At the moment, we still have some responsibility on our shoulders: to bring up and nurture our son and our daughters the way they should be. With God on our side, I can say nothing is impossible. My son is now on his preparatory stage in school. Though he can‘t go with his classmates due to his physical difficulties, his mind goes over it. With my wife’s and my daughter’s  support, he is enjoying life in school.
 
From here, I hope we learned a lot more. Battles don’t end up in one victory. We don’t loose our hope. Have faith in God all things will work together for good.

arch ronel k. pabico
interior designer / 3d visualizer

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