A story about a special little girl who is the joy of her parents' world.
My name is Carole Whitfield. I have been married to my husband, Robert (affectionately known as "Bob") for fourteen years. We have two children, both girls. Our children are named Hannah Grace (nine) and our youngest, Kinsi Michelle, who is seven.
Now, Kinsi is not like most children. That is, suffice to say, she is disabled. Very much so. She is in a wheelchair (she cannot walk), and she cannot speak; yet she is able to let her feelings known by her eyes, facial expressions, or her noises. She is very good at communicating her needs to us.
Kinsi was born with cerebral palsy. It affects her entire body. She is brain damaged, has the mind of an older infant; yet she is one of the sweetest little girls you'd ever want to meet.
We live in Sonora, California. We are in Tennessee visiting family (Bob's folks; they live in Nashville). We were planning on going back home on Monday, but then yesterday, Kinsi had another severe seizure; she's now in the hospital. The doctors and nurses have her knocked out so she can rest (plus they don't want her pulling out her tubes). They have her hooked up to monitors and IV's; it is hard to see her lying so still. She looks like she's sleeping; yet the beeps from the machines and the tubes tell us otherwise. She is very sick.
We don't know how long we'll be here in Tennessee; it's a day to day thing, especially with our daughter's health being so fragile. Any little thing can make her sick; she has always been susceptible to any bug that may come her way. She's been in and out of the hospital for most of her life; and we've nearly lost her more times than we can count.
That she is still here is nothing but a miracle. God has been good to her, and to us, her family. He's gotten us through some of the worst times imaginable.
It is hard, but it is kind of nice to know that we aren't alone in our sufferings. There's a woman here named Gladys Humphreys, who has been visiting her six-year-old son, Bryson, who has bacterial meningitis.
Then there's Maria and Rico Jiminez, who have been vistiing their little boy, Perfecto, who is, unfortunately, dying. He has terminal cancer; it's metastisized throughout his entire body, and there is no hope for him. It's really sad.
Finally there's Grant and Helga Knowles, whose daughter, Simone, is in total kidney failure. Simone is five, but she's been suffering most of her life with some rare disease that I've never even heard of. Her story is really sad, too.
We have been lifting each other up in prayer, trying to console, comfort one another when things go wrong. Just yesterday, little Simone coded several times (stopped breathing, plus her heart stopped beating); she nearly died; but the swiftness of the medical team brought her back, and she's, amazingly, still alive; yet her condition remains very grave.
I don't know why God allows innocent little children to suffer such horrible diseases or accidents; but I personally think it's to bring others closer to Him. He allows this to happen so He can see how we respond; sometimes it doesn't work out, but other times it does. Look at our daughter, for example. Kinsi is now seven; she's had a rough road to travel, but by a miracle, she's still here.
Because of Kinsi's special needs, we have been made to become a stronger, closer family. If it were not for Kinsi, we would have never learned about faith, patience, or even courage. We have learned to trust in an Almighty God who clearly loves us; He would do anything for us, and He would do all He can to alleviate suffering and/or pain. He's allowed Kinsi to live this long; and He's allowed to use her as a way to bring other people to Him.
Maybe a lot of people don't understand our feelings or believe in this fashion (and they have that right), but we feel this way; nothing can ever convince us otherwise. Kinsi is a living little Medical Miracle, and she is bringing hope, happiness, and even healing to others around her.
She is truly an inspiration; she is truly one of a kind. Yes, that's our Kinsi! :)
~Written by Carole Ann Whitfield, Kinsi's mom.
I will be writing in here more about Kinsi, and also about our other daughter, Hannah Grace. You haven't heard the last from us! :)
Want to review or comment on this short story?
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Reviewed by ~ Holly Harbridge
1/14/2008
So many very precious ones...it is difficult to understand why God allows these deseases, although I tend to agree with the Mother. A very moving, and heartfelt write but wonderful story that builds faith. Love Holly
True stories like these are trully inspirational. --Charlie
Reviewed by d. k
11/24/2007
A wonderful write in yet the world of another family who lives day by day with faith for there little child. You have put a human touch to what families go through together in a hospital setting. My heart wished all the pain would be gone forever. Very powerful my friend!
What a wonderful story dear friend...sends a powerful message indeed! Your writing always leaves one with thoughts of counting their blessings...I've been away from the den for the past couple of weeks for the most part due to work overload due to the holidays and home improvement jobs, as well as working on a second book...boy, it feels good to be home tonight (my home in Kentucky and my home at the den!)
Enjoyed this my friend!
Blessings & Happy Holidays,
Joyce B.
Such sadness...you ask a powerful question, why is it the children who suffer most? I don't know...God has His reasons. But I also know that God is there beside those who are hurting. Well done.
I have written a chapter called I Am That, I Am in this inspirational compilation book by best-selling authors and wonderful people from all walks of life xox :-D (Its sister book is called Adventures In Manifesting - Success and Spirituality)
