February 2010
SWEET, MIRACULOUS VICTORY
Today we awoke before the crack of dawn. This was a big day
indeed. Braxton and I were headed to Shriners Hospital to
receive his first prosthetic. It was merely 5:00am when we
headed out and yet Braxton was wide eyed and quiet in the still
of the early morning hour. As we drove the now familiar highway,
he periodically asked questions revealing his mixture of
emotions varying from excitement to uncertainty and disbelief to
daring to dream. After four and a half years of tackling the
world so differently from most of his peers, Braxton found
himself on the brink of new opportunities and countless
possibilities. A prosthetic leg. Wow, it has been a long journey
to get here. I have dreamt of this day since we first saw
Braxton’s picture on a waiting child list in March of 2008. And
now nearly two years later, his dream…our dream…is being
realized.
While we were driving, I too, had many emotions and questions
running through my mind. Fear, uncertainty, excitement,
anticipation, joy. Questions like- Would he be able to walk?
Would he cooperate? Would he like the prosthetic or be overcome
by this ensuing fear that is so normal? Will he reject it or
embrace it? I decided to take all of these thoughts and emotions
captive and bring my every fear to the Lord. He is so faithful
and He met me right there in my car on the highway and gave me a
confident peace - a peace that I knew that no matter what
today’s obstacles entailed, He would see us through.
When we arrived at the hospital, the sun was coming over the
horizon and the morning felt promising. I decided to jump in
with both feet and believe that we would see some miracles
today. Braxton and brother Bryce joined me and the excitement
was building. We made our way up to that little room on the
second floor with big mirrors, parallel bars for learning to
walk, and a history of previous children learning to put one
foot in front of another. As soon as Mr. Dan from prosthetics
walked in the door, Braxton pressed “Do you have my prosthetic?
Can I try it? Is it ready, cuz I am!” Mr. Dan looked shocked at
Braxton’s readiness since during our visit two weeks prior
Braxton had many tears mixed with whining and complaining as he
was so fearful of the whole experience. With no delay, Mr. Dan
brought out and presented the new prosthetic leg fully armored
with the Disney character Lightning McQueen and a lever for
bending the working knee. Braxton squealed with delight and
asked to put it on. Within no time, we were learning the many
little maneuvers required in order to put on the prosthesis.
Then the big moment. Like a little warrior girded up for battle,
Braxton stood timidly for the first time on two shoes. Next, Mr.
Dan picked him up and took him to the parallel bars. These bars
are significant for me as I am the mama of a competitive gymnast
who propels his athletic body with great strength and technique
around these types of bars. Now my youngest son at the age of 4
˝ gripped these bars for the first time and would inspire and
awe me with equally amazing athletic potential - he would take
his first steps.
Better than anything I had ever dreamed was the feeling that I
experienced when I saw Braxton grab those bars and bravely take
his first steps. Sweet, miraculous victory – God is so good!
Braxton has a long road ahead of him as he learns to walk for
the first time and maybe even one day run. As he learns, he will
fall. When he falls, we will continue to urge him to get back
up, dust himself off and try again as we cheer him on. It will
continue to be a journey with obstacles and road blocks,
free-ways and toll booths, highways and speed bumps, setbacks
and victories…but isn’t that how we all get through this journey
called life? I am confident that our Great BIG God will continue
to help us show Braxton how to maneuver through this new course
of his journey.
Today our son not only learned to walk; he also learned to
believe, to hope, to dream! Don’t you love a good story of
victory and overcoming the impossible? Me too! But, we vow never
to forget that there is a price that was paid before the victory
could occur (sound like any other story you may have heard).
There was an amputation, a second surgery for wound control, and
more surgery to come. There was loss, pain, grief, fear, a
stinky stump, a spica cast, stitches and more stitches. There
were many miles and hours in the car where Braxton watched the
Disney movie Cars at least 237 times while Tamera listened to
inspiring speakers like James Cecy, John Piper and John McArthur
on CD for hours on end while traveling to Shriners Hospital in
the dark of the early morning. There were many hours waiting,
many professionals planning, and many prayers whispered. A leg
was amputated and now mobility is possible. We are blessed to
parent little Braxton as his life is a constant reminder to us
that all there is always a price for freedom and there is always
a sacrifice in victory.
We have learned that Braxton’s disability does not define him.
What defines him is that he is our son - a significant, vital
part of Team Wong. What defines him is that he is a courageous
little boy who trusts his GREAT BIG GOD and in Him alone there
is sweet, miraculous victory. To God be all the glory! |
Braxton's very first steps ever!
Confidence Growing
Admiring His New Look in the Big Mirrors
Big Brother on the Parallel bars
Brothers Can Inspire Each other |
