Justine Paronable was a happy and healthy boy who loved life and a schoolmate of my nephew .I myself is a living testimony when Justine is growing up. At nine years old, he has everything a boy has to be thankful for. A loving and supportive family. He was also gifted with friends for his sense of humor. In fact he was the ice-breaker in their class and a basketball player. At an early age he has enjoyed traveling around the most famous amusement parks in the country. While at home, he does his all time favorite, playing basketball. Life was perfect for Justine. But little did he know that one thing will change his life forever.
Waking up on the 3rd of February in the year 2015 was a typical day for Justine. But what made it peculiar was that he couldn't get up from his bed. He tried moving his body but he failed. He cried calling his mom and dad. They thought he was just faking it so his dad accompanied him to stand. But when he let go of him. Justine fell straight to the floor.
Next thing he knew, he was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)at a hospital in our province, paralyzed from the neck down. According to the doctor, he was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome, a rare auto-immune disorder. He was hooked up to a machine to breathe. He couldn't talk and uttered by mouthing letters and words. He ate blended food through a tube inserted to his mouth.
Justine sees his family cry every time they look at him. He wanted to stand up from the hospital bed, hug and kiss them that he's gonna be fine. But he was heartbroken that he couldn't be the son he wanted to be. He was helpless.
Prayers from family, friends, classmates and teachers came rushing down for Justine. They did ways to help his family physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially. After weeks of practicing on a special breathing valve, he was able to breathe with the ventilator off. After continuous physiotherapy in the hospital, the paralysis started to fade in his arms and later moved out from ICU and transferred in a regular room.
Slowly, he was able to speak again. He could sit up in a wheelchair and grew stronger everyday. He even stood for the first time in months. For his mother, that moment was priceless. Later on, he took his first steps once again.
On May 2015, Justine was finally home. He had re-learned how to brush his teeth, how to eat with utensils, how to write, and how to walk again. He was able to all these things slowly.
After more than a year, Justine is back to school. He admittedly said that he had a hard time on his first weeks in school but he is looking forward and excited to do the things he was unable to do during his battle, one of them is to play basketball.
Justine and his family want to extend their sincerest gratitude to all who sent prayers and help during their darkest time.
If there would be one thing that Justine learned from his struggle, it's about keeping the faith. "Never lose hope because God is not yet done with you He has bigger things in store for you, for all of us", he quoted.
God may have different ways in giving us challenges in life. But let us be like Justine. Resilient. Brave. Courageous.