Love at first smile

I fell in love with Araw (not his real name) the moment he flashed his smile. He looked at me with these big innocent eyes — and I felt wow, what’s that? Araw is 10 years old and has juvenile arthritis. This is a condition where the child feels the excruciating pain of arthritis at a very young age. I flinched when Girlie Aragon, deputy director of Bantay Bata, told me the story. Bantay Bata rescued Araw because a neighbor reported that he was being physically abused despite his condition. A child with juvenile arthritis lives in constant pain. Add to that the physical abuse, and the situation is nightmarish. To this day I marvel at how this glorious soul has been able to weather all of that and remain intact. All he asked was that he never be sent back home again. In fact his sister and brother were also rescued due to physical abuse. So clearly, the household situation was seriously dysfunctional.

Since then the situation has improved. The mother has rehabilitated and upon assessment, Bantay Bata decided that it was all right to send back the sister. Araw continues to be with Bantay Bata because of his medical condition — since his family is poor and cannot afford the treatment.

Araw’s bruises have healed but his juvenile arthritis continues to give him pain. He takes steroids because this addresses the pain and the swelling. I am not a big fan of pharmaceuticals. I am convinced too much medicine is bad for the kidney and liver. I have been able to keep myself and my children very healthy taking only natural or organic remedies. However, none of us has anything serious like juvenile arthritis.

Every time I see Girlie, I ask, how is Araw? I am convinced he is an old soul. In fact, to me he looks like a hobbit. He cannot walk well — and according to Girlie he has stopped growing.

I had him sent to my house one weekend. I have this urge to embrace him and take care of him. He came with two of his friends from the village and Bantay Bata caregivers. He swam in my saltwater pool, but when I saw that he was shivering, I brought him up to my Jacuzzi — and added some bubble bath. He really enjoyed that! The warmth soothed him, and the experience of seeing so many bubbles to play with was a total treat to him.

He was always very quiet with me, so when he finally started talking, I was thrilled no end. And by the time they were eating lunch — and he was talking to me freely — I was in seventh heaven. I was amazed to see that, despite his fragility, he holds moral sway over his friends. He says Vandolph is good because he is “masipag” (works hard) and a good boy. According to Girlie he is a point of unity in a cottage of unruly boys — and everyone dotes on him. He really is an old soul, and if you were to meet him, you might fall in love like Girlie and I have. It is important to note that the children in Bantay Bata have been rescued because of abuse. In fact, a few of them are special children themselves. What has touched Girlie is that these boys with their own sordid life experiences are very protective of him. They carry his bags, carry him when he is feeling pain and take care of him. Clearly he has been able to bring out the best in these boys. That’s a pretty awesome achievement for a 10-year-old boy who can hardly walk.

Girlie and I were reflecting: What is it about Araw? Well, he is really gentle — and actually he is even wise! Beyond his years. Hmm. Girlie and I looked at each other and said, “Well, he is very special.” What amazes me about Araw is that despite the abusive experiences in his life, I don’t feel the slightest bit of anger or bitterness from him. Rather I feel a very sensitive and open soul with an openness to others; one that still feels the wonder of life. Sometimes, I guess, life gifts us with souls like this to bring some light and life and hope.

Now it concerns me that I do not see light at the end of the tunnel. Is he doomed to taking steroids his whole life? Is he doomed to suffering? What could he have done to deserve this — this very gentle and noble soul? So I want to help him, but I didn’t quite know how — so I thought of writing this column and maybe some reader out there will have some idea what to do.

As per doctors’ advice, we give him warm compresses to ease his pain. We regulate his food: no sugar, beans. We give him apple cider and honey and lots of apples and bananas. He likes chicharon, ice cream, and hotdogs which are not good for him but Girlie allows him his occasional rendezvous with culinary delights. It’s quite amusing that Araw himself is careful about his diet. This means he wants to get well! Because the situation is painful he will do whatever it takes to diminish the pain.

Is there anyone out there who can help? You will have the eternal gratitude of me, Girlie and everyone in the Bantay Bata Children’s Village. As it stands it seems unless we find a cure, he will continue to feel pain, take steroids, and it doesn’t look his life span will be very long. It’s not a very pleasant thought.

Can’t this wonderfully beautiful soul feel more of the joys that life can give him? And can he bestow the graciousness of his countenance to more people?

If there is anyone out there moved by this story who wants to help or knows of someone who can help, please call Girlie at 0917-5876294 or e-mail her at girlie_aragon@abs-cbn.com. I can be reached at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com. We are putting up a fund for his medical needs. Please let Girlie know.

(P.S.: Because of Bantay Bata rules, I could not put his real name and unfortunately I couldn’t show you his eyes! But you can go visit him. He really is a very beautiful soul!)