44092, Wickliffe, Ohio, United States
Naomi's Story
Saving a Child's Life
Naomi came to the center about 3 days after I arrived in Rongai. She was introduced as a 16 year old girl, who grew up in rural Kenya with 18 other siblings. Prior to coming to the center she had been given up to a church, where a group of nuns had been taking care of her for the past 2 years, until they found the center. I was told she had lost feeling in first her feet moving p through her legs and became incontinent, the director of the center said she had muscular dystrophy. I began reaching out to people at home, and a local Kenyan doctor. There was one thing we aall agreed upon - Naomi did not have muscular dystrophy.
After weeks worth of hospital visits, both private and public, dentist vistis, specialist, 3 MRIs, and countless other tests, the conclusion made was Naomi at some point had tuberculosis that was left untreated.
Tuberculosis is not something uncommon in Kenya, which is why they offer free medication at all public hospitals. By leaving her condition untreated Naomi developed tuberculosis spondylitis, more commonly known as Pott's Disease. This is where teh tuberculosis moves outside of her lungs and into her spine and other soft tissues, including her gums, which forced her to have several teeth removed. Once we had the proper diagnosis we starter her on any typical tuberculosis medication and for quite some time didn't know if she would ever regain feeling or have any hope of walking again. I was happy enough with knowing this beautiful 16 year old girl would at the very least live a full life.
After being home for a few months I had received an email about Naomi. The emails started slow in letting me know she had regained the slightest feeling in her legs, and continued on over many months that she has gained enough feeling to stand again. Currently Naomi is able to stand on her own, there is not hope that not only will she live a full life but very well may be able to go back to living one where she is no longer wheel chair bound.
This story has made every hardship i have endured in Kenya beyond worth it and the foundation of what The Godfrey Project is all about.
