We found him seated at the back of the house on his own...his step-brother only joined him as we were approaching the home. Elphas showed a great smile as we came closer, especially when he saw David walking with the aid of his crutches.
David managed to talk him into coming away from behind the house. Slowly, he moved himself out into the open as David continually motivated him. As the other kids and adults from around the village gathered, Elphas grew more shy so it took him a while to get to the open ground where David was seated...
David assisted him get the last stretch closer to him...
With encouraging words, through observation and touch, David did some assessment on Elphas and found to be very weak in the legs and the hands...
Here David is asking Elphas to squeeze his hands...which he couldn't...
David feeling the boy's legs...
David helped the boy lie down on his back and then up again....because he cannot do that on his own....
Then I got chance to encourage Elphas with these few words...."God loves you"...This seemed very unusual to him....
The following week we took Elphas Dr. Okidi for assessment. He was accompanied by his step-mother...
Elphas was excited to get out of the home where he has been confined for the last few years....
Even though his teeth are not showing...his bright face still reveals that great smile...
Sisan also accompanied us in her capacity as the Special teacher at Koyier Primary School where Elphas used to attend school....
After the Doctor's assessment, in the hope of getting a wheelchair, we drove to the Disability Service Program(DSP) offices in Opapo, a few kilometers from Rongo....
Here we found Jared...who is disabled himself....working as one of the assistants at the centre...He was trained by David...
David explaining how the DSP works in partnership with other organizations to help the disabled child...
We did not get a wheelchair for Elphas on that day, but we left full of hope and faith that a process has been initiated towards helping Elphas....
Elphas is 11 years old
Mother dead, father alive
Lives with Step-mother at the village home about 300 metres from the nearby school
He was hit by polio during early childhood
Elder brother also died of a similar case
Ability to walk gradually affected until now totally weak in the legs and hands
He used to attend Koyier Primary School
He left school in class 2 several years ago because of his disability
Susan, a teacher at Koyier Primary school brought his case to our attention
At first his step-brothers used wooden structure to carry him to school, but not for so long
He has continued to study at home, borrowing books from step-brothers
He has taught himself to read Kiswahili and a bit of English
We took David Atinda, himself a disabled person to encourage him
Elphas says he still longs to go to school
We then took him to Dr. Okidi at Rongo for assessment
Dr. says his case should have been brought up long time during early stages
Dr. Okidi recommended a wheelchair for mobility
Dr. booked Elphas for "training" at the Disability Service Program 24th - 29th November 2008
This will give him more time for assessment and physiotherapy
The step-mother will accompany him during the training at the DSP in Opapo
Your assistance towards Elphas' mobility to continue with school is highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your support.
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