Note: This blog was written by Shes Rivera, PT, Guatemala Director of TCI.

Luis, a young man and former patient in ASELSI’s physical therapy program, was involved in a motorcycle accident four years ago that almost took his life. I first met Luis when the doctors at ASELSI introduced me to him. “He suffered a brain injury and cannot move. He cannot speak and has some cognitive issues. Is there something you can do in physical therapy to help him?”

A week later Luis started physical therapy. He and his family would travel thirty minutes every Monday to bring him to the program. 

It has been a long journey for Luis, full of ups and downs. On the good days he was excited for the week’s progress and we would celebrate with him, but then he had bad days when he felt tired and discouraged for how slowly he was progressing. On those days, he just wanted to give up because of all the things he had lost because of the accident. 

The rehabilitation promoters and I would listen and give him time to express what he was feeling. After he finished, we would remind him of the progress he was making and what God had done and was doing in his life.

A couple of weeks ago I got a phone call from Luis. He called to check up on me and encourage me as I had encouraged him some time ago. He said, “It’s my time to encourage you.”The lock down in Guatemala because of COVID-19 has been difficult for him and his family, but when he is feeling down and discouraged, he remembers how the rehabilitation promoters and I would listen, pray, share scripture, and encourage him. Now, that is what he is doing to help his parents. He said the time in therapy had helped him not only to get out of bed and learn how to walk, but also he had learned how to keep going when he is ready to give up.  He also learned how to reach out to God when he doesn’t have strength. He said he learned that by our example.