Re-writing Francis's letter still makes me cry.

It was during my last couple of days at St. Judes that Brother Elio asked me to visit Francis, a 23 year old medical student at the neighboring Catholic secondary school for boys. Brother Elio never ask me to do anything, he only told me what the children needed and asked me in what capacity I would like to serve, so the opportunity to go and speak to Francis at his request was an honor. He told me very little about Francis, only that he was a good student that seemed to be suffering from a bit of depression and anger do the complications he faced daily with his paralysis.

Francis appeared from one of the class room entrances, wheeling himself in a make shift chair. Beads of sweat poured from his brow, he was suffering from malaria symptoms, but explained he just finished taking an important exam that he could not miss no matter how ill he was feeling. Immediately I was astonished at his strength and will power. He showed no signs of depression or anger. He spoke eloquently and his speech was full of hope for the future. I was puzzled as to why Brother Elio told me otherwise. Although I was the Life Coach I felt I was receiving a lesson on how to face life's challenges instead of giving it. Fortunately I was accompanied by Vincent, a dear friend of mine from Kenya. He was wiser than me, and he saw past Francis's mask and knew to ask him questions that I didn't think to ask.

"How do you get along with the other boys here, do they treat you with respect?" "Where do you sleep, is it comfortable." "Where are the restrooms, is it hard to get to them at night?" "Do you have help getting to town?" "Does your chair cause you pain?"

Slowly, like the unfolding of rose petals the human side of Francis came out. In his eye's saw a young man that fought day in and day out to overcome physical pain, humiliation, mental challenges, and loneliness in order to make the most of his life so that he could give back and help others. For that moment in time I believe Francis could relax, could talk about his vulnerability without fear of being harmed.

It breaks my heart to see someone with so much potential and desire to do good that is stifled and tormented by things that so many people take for granted.

Because I respect Francis, I will not go into further detail about the challenges he faces on a day to day basis. I will ask you to read his letter, and to read between the lines. Put yourself in his shoes, and my God allow you to find it in your heart to donate money you might waste to a boy that is fighting against all odds to become a man that will be able to help save many lives.

Francis's Letter

I am called Ochap Francis, 23 years of age, a student in my final level at the secondary level.

My situation

I am paraplegic using a wheelchair.

How I came to be in such a situation

I never dreamed such a situation would happen in life, never, but I just found myself in this situation in 2004 May 7th, Friday around 4:30 p.m. I fell from a mango tree and I became paralyzed in my lower limbs.

My goals

In this world nothing is impossible and everyone is goal oriented. Therefore, I fortunately decided a long time ago I wanted to join the field of medicine and become a doctor in order to serve others.

My needs

I would like to kindly request the following:

Intermittent Catheters

Electrical Wheel Chair

Manual Wheel Chair

Air pumped sitting cushion

Books for school

Mattress

How my life will be different if my needs are provided

At the moment there are several workshops, seminars, practical researches that I am supposed to attend with my colleagues, currently I am facing transport and movement difficulties to destinations of those respective activities.

I was also recommended by the doctor for physiotherapy; the hospital is about 2km away and I cannot manage to reach it. However sometimes I can manage to take a taxi which is very expensive for me to maintain the cost because I am still a student. Therefore, if I was to have the electrical wheelchair, my quality of life will change because of movement accessibility's and I could go to physical therapy and serve my scholastic programs successfully.

When all these needs are provided, I will be out of trauma and will concentrate greatly in whatever I am doing.

Thank you for your time and consideration of me. May God bless you,

My Contact

Tel: +256773225752

Email: ochapfra1986@yahoo.com

Address: c/o Brother Elio Croce

Lacor Hospital P.O. Box 180

Gulu, Uganda