Dolly our third child, when she was born, was a normal, healthy child and we had no cause for any doubt about her health. But that was only for a few months. When she approached the age of one, we were a little apprehensive as she did not sit up and crawl likes any other child of her age. We consulted some local doctors who said that it was only a question of delayed milestone and she would become normal and walk after a few months. This proved to be a wrong diagnosis.

When she did not walk even at the age of two, we were very much worried and we took her to CMC Hospital, Vellore for a proper diagnosis. The doctor’s diagnosis came as a rude shock to us – it’s a case of cerebral palsy involving physical disabilities as well as mental Retardation. We were also told plainly since there is no cure for this illness thro’ medicine, we have to rehabilitate here only by means of physiotherapy and occupational therapy. To digest the fact that our lovely daughter Dolly would be disabled for life was a deep tormenting grief.

However, as my wife and I had committed our lives to our Lord, we turned to the word of God for consolation and comfort. We asked God to help us cling to Him in faith, in the face of this hard reality and not faint under the pressure of suffering.

God enabled us to trust Him in the midst of suffering and commit our ways unto Him. God’s wisdom helped us to see beyond our hardships and problems we encountered at home due to Dolly’s illness. Due to my wife’s efforts, Dolly learnt to write short sentences and numbers. We were excited when she wrote a few sentences like “Jesus loves you” “I pray for you”, “come soon” to her brothers and sisters abroad in her letters. We had doubts whether Dolly will be able to understand the Gospel. Yet without giving up hope when my wife explained the Good News to her, she responded positively and replied yes when asked whether she has received Jesus Christ in her heart. Whenever we ask her, she says clearly that Jesus Christ is in her heart.

It is said that endurance is not merely the ability to accept and bear hard thing but to turn it into glory. This is what the Lord is teaching us through Dolly. We realize that Dolly is God’s instrument to draw us as a family closer is Him and develop Christian qualities such as patience, endurance, humility, compassion and tenderness in us. Also, the Lord is teaching us the important lesson of total dependence on Him.

So far, God has enabled us to provide tender care for Dolly. This according to us is God’s gracious, miraculous provision. When we think about the future many doubts and fears cross our minds. For answers to all our torturing questions regarding the future we have no other place to go except to the foot of the cross where our eyes are fixed on His love so amazing and divine that can be trusted with all our doubts and fears. God has lavished us with His inner peace that passes all understanding.

Also, we have a hope for the future. Even if Dolly is not healed during her lifetime in this world, we know she will receive a glorified and perfect body in heaven like all of us and we will see her one day dancing in heaven. (To quote from Joni Erickson)

Is it not heart- warming to hear experiences of parents with special children and God’s miraculous provision for such parent?

This is also written to Family Foundation Magazine by Mr and Mrs.Jeyapaul