Our communications intern, Jennifer, shares this story.

Greetings, readers. My name is Jennifer R. Melendrez, and I’m an intern at CURE International.

My nephew, 1-year-old Simon, was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.   This condition affects his joints, causing them to be twisted and to develop improperly. Without physical and occupational therapy, casting and surgery, Simon would have to live with this condition his whole life; he would never walk or be able to move normally.

However, Simon has been blessed with a supportive family and an expert medical network. Early intervention and an encouraging medical team helped Simon get on track from the start. Our family was pleasantly surprised that the occupational and physical therapists assigned to Simon are friends of the family; they have gone above and beyond the requirements of their jobs to see Simon to complete healing.

Simon before his surgery

Last week, he returned home from his first major leg surgery. Most of my family was able to stay at the hospital with Simon and my sister Sarah, taking turns sleeping, keeping Simon comfortable and talking with the doctors.

My mother sent me a text message shortly after his surgery last week: “Simon is out of surgery…His legs are straight! His casts go to the top of each thigh. He also had his Achilles [tendons] cut again…but he did great! The power of prayer is amazing!”

His therapists are thrilled that his surgery has gone so well and are looking forward to the next step in his healing process. His doctors are optimistic about his future abilities.

Though my sister and her husband were initially concerned about Simon’s condition, so much has improved and there has been endless help, that now they are thrilled at their son’s progress.

Sarah’s own words tell the story best: “I was woken up the morning of surgery by a nurse who had come to tell me that they were ready for Simon. I looked at the clock, and it was about 7:30; his surgery wasn’t supposed to be until 9:30! I was slightly panicked but I got up and followed the nurse to pre op. I think that the fact that they took him in early didn’t give me sufficient time to get as upset as I thought I was going to be.

“While I was sitting in the pre op room looking and my little Simon in a hospital gown, I had to take a moment to ask God to please watch over him and make sure that everything went well. He did just that and more: Simon was supposed to have one hip in the socket and one hip out but shortly after the surgery began, I got a phone call from the OR saying that both hips were in the socket and the surgery was going to be simpler and shorter. I couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t going to need a body cast like we’d originally thought.

“It really was a miracle that they were both in place. The doctor had told us before surgery that he was almost completely sure that one was in and one was out. I thanked God; this was going to make recovery and therapy so much faster and easier. There was so much going on that day I didn’t even have time to cry until I saw him after surgery. It is difficult to see one’s child in a hospital bed with all kinds of wires and IVs attached to him. But in the end, all of the things we do are to make him better, and the day my little boy walks it will all be worth it.”

Simon was born at a disadvantage, but now he is healing and overcoming his lot. His is a story of success because of the support from friends, family and the medical system available to him. Unfortunately, not every child with a disability is so lucky. There are kids like Simon all over the world who can’t get the treatments they need due to lack of support, funding or medical expertise. CURE helps kids like my little nephew every day.

My sister agrees, as she said, “CURE’s motto sums it up: healing really does change everything.”

Simon after his surgery

Jennifer’s story reminds us of just how important CURE is to children with physical disabilities in the developing world.  Just like Simon was changed by the medical expertise here in the U.S., thousands of children have been transformed forever through the First-World care we offer through our hospitals.

Thanks “Intern Jen” for sharing your nephew’s story!