Thinking's Story: Life Can Change
Life can change.
This is the story of no ordinary girl. In an October 2002 birth that was likely attended by village elder-women in her hometown of Gbarngasiaquelleh in northern Bong County, Thinking entered the world in year eleven of the devastating thirteen-year Liberian civil war.
At such a time, life in her remote farming village would be challenging, with war raging and no electricity, running water, or nearby medical clinics. For Thinking, the threat was amplified because she could not walk. Left with no choice but to adapt and contribute, she learned to ‘walk’ on her knees to fetch water, gather firewood, thrash rice, and get herself to church and school where she could not afford to enroll but could listen. But life can change.
In the spring of 2015, a neighboring village, Gbota, welcomed their native son, Harrison Kpartipa, back during a farming research mission trip with other Iowa travelers. Harrison was introduced to Thinking during a visit to her village, as she sat on the ground milling rice for her family’s only meal that day. Later, her relative approached him to inquire how someone in the United States might help her.
Think big.
Upon his return to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, eight-year US citizen Harrison approached Trinity Lutheran Church’s mission support committee. The conversation started with discussion about mobility devices such as crutches and wheelchairs, but quickly progressed to a suggestion to contact the Twin Cities Shriners Hospital regarding evaluation and treatment.
January 2017 brought the good news that Shriners Hospital would accept Thinking as an international patient. Wheels were set in motion to secure her birth certificate, passport, visa, and guardianship documents.
Never stop believing.
One of Thinking’s first medical reviews ever was completed in early 2016 in Liberia. She was reported to be extremely malnourished but otherwise in relatively good health. While waiting for arrangements to be made, Thinking lived with an aunt in Monrovia where she was provided a diet to improve her nutritional status and strength in advance of medical treatment. The 2016 Monrovia medical assessment laid out a possible course of treatment that could include bilateral amputation, followed by rehabilitation and the fitting of prosthetic legs.
This 14-year-old young woman patiently waited for word from America. Most others thought help would never come and that she had been forgotten. Weeks turned into months. Thinking never lost hope and faithfully prayed and believed that God was going to bless her. Signs of action arrived: more medical appointments, a trip to the embassy to gain her visa, and immunizations needed before travel and hospital evaluation.
At last, word was received of Thinking’s visa denial because proof was needed that she would not be a burden to U.S. taxpayers. Documents were secured guaranteeing that travel, medical, and living expenses would be covered. Thinking’s visa was approved on September 11, 2017.
Count the cost.
On Saturday, October 7, 2017, Harrison Kpartipa and Thinking drove to her village to bid farewell to her family and community members. Her mother did not have the ability to accompany Thinking to America. Not knowing what lay ahead, Thinking said her goodbyes and left for America and an unknown future with unfamiliar people, language, lifestyle, and culture and the probability of drastic medical/surgical intervention. Besides her family, Thinking left behind her friends, her community, and all aspects of her life as she knew it.
Be brave.
On the day of her 15th birthday, Thinking boarded a plane with Harrison for the 36-hour trip to the U.S.A. On Saturday, October 14, a cold, rainy, blustery day, the weary travelers arrived in Chicago, greeted by Mike and Brenda Herring. Mike was part of the mission trip to Liberia with Harrison in March, 2016, and was part of the team that helped Thinking come to America. Wrapped deeply in a warm winter coat, she began the final leg of her journey to her new home, Cedar Rapids. Driving through a wind-driven torrential thunderstorm, the group arrived home in Cedar Rapids and Thinking was welcomed by American ‘mom’ Garmai and ‘sister’ Wilsee. A family feast was prepared that included traditional Liberian foods and pizza, of which the first bite brought a grin to her face. The next day Thinking was introduced to her Trinity Lutheran Church family. Home.
The verdict.
Thinking’s medical evaluations with a team of doctors, nurses, and social workers began at the Shriners Hospital in late October, 2017. After an initial delay due to possible cardiac irregularities, Thinking and Harrison made their second trip to the Shriners Hospital in mid-November. X-rays taken during the first appointment revealed that Thinking’s leg problems were likely caused by a traumatic birthing event. Her kneecaps were entirely out of position, preventing her ability to straighten her legs. Her legs were found to be rotated, resulting in club feet. In addition, long bone deterioration was identified in her lower legs. Lastly, the team diagnosed cerebral palsy. Long and painful treatment would include moving her kneecaps to their proper placement, leg casting to correct her severe club feet, and probable lower leg bone transplants to allow her to bear weight. Surgical corrections would be followed by extensive rehabilitation. The team was confident that Thinking would eventually be able to walk on her own legs!
The journey toward a single step.
The serial casting process began the much anticipated medical process of straightening Thinking’s legs. Previously, she was never able to extend her legs beyond 100 to 110 degrees. Initial pink casts extended her legs to 140 degrees. Eventually the medical team straightened Thinking’s legs to nearly a 180-degree position by gradual stretching of her muscular-skeletal frame in the green casts. Brave and resolute Thinking then underwent ten hours of surgery that included kneecap repositioning and hip surgery, followed by other corrective procedures. She received physical therapy during and after her surgeries. For six weeks, Thinking remained in post-surgical casts. Following cast removal, Thinking was to begin two weeks of intensive physical therapy, but this was delayed for six weeks to allow healing of pressure sores caused by cast rubbing. During that six-week period, parishioners came to help her with reading and English comprehension.
At the age of 15 years, 3 months, and 21 days, Thinking took her first four steps! You couldn’t miss her smile. During one follow-up appointment trip to the Shriner’s Hospital, it was reported that Thinking was seen racing through the hallways (with her walker) like a girl with her hair on fire!!!
Life can change.
Thinking’s story was largely compiled from a history of Thinking’s journey to America recorded in blog posts written by Mike Herring. Thank you to Mike for sharing her story!