Alexandria: A Path Made Straight

Alexandria: A Path Made Straight

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Two-year-old Alexandria has large dark chocolate-colored eyes, an adorable button nose, and a small, fleeting smile we keep trying to capture on camera. Alexandria, recovering from recent surgery, just doesn't want to convalesce. Her mother, Mary Grace, says she's sweet but strong-willed like her father, Ronald, and is a very active and social child. "She climbs on things and runs really fast!" Mary Grace reports.

Alexandria doesn't let her disability hinder her curiousity. She is a typical spirited and speedy two-year-old, though unfortunately those within her community seem to look past all of the beautiful, unique things that make Alexandria who she is. All they see is her disability.

"I've been told that her disability is caused from eating crabs," says Mary Grace. Alexandria's legs turn inward, much like the claws of a crab.

When people don't understand the reasons behind physical deformities, they form their own, uninformed explanations about why said deformities occur. Eating crabs seemed as good a reason as any for Alexandria's malformed legs, though Mary Grace thought the cause suspect. Alexandria's parents didn't know what, exactly, was wrong with their daughter, and they didn't know if it could ever be fixed. But they would try to find out.

And find out they did when medical staff at one of Tebow CURE's visiting mobile clinics examined Alexandria. The team told Mary Grace that Alexandria suffered from bowed legs, that the condition was treatable, and that doctors at Tebow CURE Hospital could help.

Mary Grace was astonished.

"I knew that my long-time prayers had been answered. It almost felt like it just fell in front of our feet!"

On November 13th, Alexandria was the first patient that day to undergo surgery. Dr. Shelley used some of our smallest instruments to operate on the two-year-old's tiny legs. Dr. Shelley pinned Alexandria's bones so that once her legs heal, they will be straight as a ruler, improving her mobility and preventing future damage to her knees.

Straight legs mean that no one will look at her funny any longer! Her parents will worry less, and as Alexandria grows up, she won't have to endure the mockery, ridicule, and ignorant statements that come from a profound lack of understanding. The once crooked path toward her future has been made straighter.

The surgery was a success, and the day after, Alexandria was already bored and eager to move about the ward. A desire to move indicates that her recovery is in full swing! On November 15th, doctors released her into her parent's loving care, and she will be back for her first follow-up in a few weeks.

Mary Grace left Tebow CURE Hospital overwhelmed with gratitude.

"I am thankful to those who support Tebow CURE. Because God touched their hearts to give, we are able to benefit from the help they offer."

We are so grateful for the amazing opportunity to meet and serve Alexandria and her family and are especially thankful to all of those who gave to make her physical healing possible.

While serving parents like Ronald and Mary Grace, we often marvel at the obstacles they must overcome when seeking help for their children. Ronald and Mary Grace pursued healing for their daughter despite the world's belief that there was nothing they could do. They prayed, put their trust in God, and God answered their prayers.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

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