Jairo's Eyes His Way to Serve God

AS TOLD BY HIS BROTHER SAMUEL RUIZ-LEON ARROYO

Can you imagine having no control of your body except for you eyes? My brother Jairo is in such a predicament. Yet, he enjoys  a meaningful life.  Before I explain why he has found his life to be worth living, let me tell you his story. 

Jairo was born with a type of cerebral palsy called spastic quadriplegia." As  a result, he has no control over his body. His brain cannot send clear signals to his muscles, so his limbs twist, or writhe, uncontrollably. Sometimes, Jairo's unpredictable  jerking  movements even cause him to hurt himself.  People nearby may also get hurt if they are not alert. Sadly, his arms and legs must often be tied to his wheelchair to prevent such accidents. 

PAINFUL PATH TO ADULTHOOD

Jairo's physical growth has been very painful. When he was three months old, he started to have seizures that left him unconscious. All too often, Mum would hold him tightly  and rush him to the hospital, convinced that he was dead.

Because of all the tightening and contracting, in time, Jairo's bones became deformed. At the age of 16, he dislocated his pelvis and required major surgery to his thigh, hip, and pelvis. I still remember Jairo crying out in  pain every  night during his recovery. 

Jairo's sever disability makes his totally reliant on others to carry out daily functions, such as eating, getting dressed, and getting in bed. Mum and Dad usually perform these tasks.  Though Jairo needs constant help, our parents always remind him that his life depends not only on humans but also on God.

Next time: A WAY OF COMMUNICATION OPENS 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015