A Father's Plea (from www.bansalan.com)

The story of my son was first posted at

http://www.bansalan.com/randy.htm

A Father's Plea
by Randy A. Albores
(published @ www.bansalan.com)


"An unexamined life is not worth living." A philosophical tenet, popularized by the ancient Greek philosopher named Socrates which has become one of the guiding principles of my existence. Indeed, life's day-to-day experiences can carry divergent meanings if pondered side by side. Reflection of these meanings plays a vital role in the journey of man. Despite the presence of pain and difficulties, life must go on. This is my story.

The Advent of Our Trials

It all started when my wife, Aubrey, gave birth to our first born son. During the pre-natal stage, everything was normal. We never missed the monthly check-up with her doctor. June 15, 2001 marked the day when she underwent Caesarian operation after spending a couple of hours of painful labor. I was in the corridor of the delivery room at Caños Hospital in Digos City when the doctor called me over. My wife and my baby were both in critical condition. The doctor said that the heart beat of my wife slowed down because the baby was in cord coil phenomenon. In short, there was a need for an operation. Frightening thoughts rushed through my head. What if I'll be asked to decide as to who will survive, my wife or my son? But thanks to God, they both survived. However, the baby was treated with antibiotics and was exposed under Bililight for three days.

When Joy Turns to Sadness

Upon returning home in Bansalan, I started taking care of my newly operated wife and my first born son. Filled with fatherly pride during that time, I wanted to tell everyone that my first baby was a handsome boy. We named him Jessie Ranz or J.R. in short. Jessie is a Hebrew word for Jesus and Ranz was taken from my web alias. J.R. was our bundle of joy. Everything went fine till one day when a sad twist of fate occurred in our family.

I was in Davao City when my wife called me over the phone with the numbing news that J.R. was rushed to the nearby Zarzona Clinic. He was only 3 months old at that time. The baby was having seizures. I immediately left the office and went home. While on the way, my wife called again telling me that my son was referred to another hospital. She decided to bring him at Caños Medical Clinic in Digos City. When I arrived at the hospital, I immediately hugged my son. I cried, yes I cried, but was pacified when I saw his smile. That was the last time I saw him smiling as if telling me “Daddy, I'm okey”.

We stayed in that hospital for three days but was advised to consult a neurologist in Davao Doctors Hospital for further examination. There, I saw my son being pierced with needles for laboratory tests. CT scan, EEG, ultrasound and the like were done. When the results came, we were crushed to hear the findings of the doctors. They informed us that J.R. will experience a global developmental delay in view of his seizures.

A month later, we brought him to Chung Hua Hospital, Cebu City for further medical tests. Another laboratory workout was done, yet, pointing to the same result... global developmental delay in view of his seizures. After gathering proceeds from my loans, we brought him back to the hospital for another examination using MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). However, there were no abnormalities on his brain according to the result of the examination. All we wanted to know was the cause of his seizures. We went home dejected and still looking for answers.



When Science Fails and Only Faith is Left

My wife and I were really depressed about the situation. How can God allow this thing to happen? Why our son? Questions like these, began to sprout. We even experienced a spiritual dryness for a couple of weeks. Indeed, we found it hard to accept the reality. But God has his own consoling ways which are different from ours. We continued taking care of J.R. and accepted the matter little by little. We hired a private physical therapist to be with him once a week. However, the sessions were stopped because his seizures became worse every time he was tired. We also brought him to the ophthalmologist because we doubted on his vision. It is sad to learn that J.R. was diagnosed with cortical blindness.

So, that was four years and ten months ago. Yes, it has been four years and ten months of suffering… four years and ten months of taking of anti-seizure drugs…. four years and ten months of seeing our son's situation, helpless and innocent. He can't see, nor walk nor talk nor sit like other normal children. All he can do is lie down in his bed. A difficult situation that we offered to God. A reality that bites and brought a lot of introspections to be pondered upon.
God's Consoling Ways

“God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me”.

I often shed tears whenever I sing this song written by Don Moen. It seems that the suffering of my son is a tragedy for our family. Nevertheless, God is not a God who punishes, but a God of mercy and compassion. Last December 18, 2004, my wife gave birth to our second son, Francis Ranz (aka Dodong Francis). Praise God, he is very healthy and normal. He is a fast learner and a lover of music even at this very early stage. We are expecting another baby this August, hopefully a girl.

Nothing But Prayers

I just realized that the more I open the condition of my son in public, the more courage I got to accept the realities. In my lectures with the cooperatives in the different parts of Region XI, I often make this type of sharing at the latter part. I do believe that if people will help me pray for the recovery of my son, God will find a way. Now, I'm sharing it to the whole world, not with cowardice but with courage and hope that someday J.R. will live a normal life like the other children. He will turn five this June 15, 2006.

So, here I am appealing to all of you to please include my son J.R. in your prayers. All my efforts in my career as a government employee and as a part-time businessman are dedicated to my son, Jessie Ranz.
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The Author

RANDY A. ALBORES , 32, finished his AB Philosophy with a merit of cum Laude at the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary, Catalunan Grande last March 1995. He took up theology at San Carlos Seminary, Makati City while undergoing formation at the Filipino-Chinese Seminary at Lorenzo Mission Institute. After years of reflection, he decided to leave the seminary in 1997. He immediately landed a permanent job in the government during that year under the Office of the Cooperative Development Authority – Davao Extension Office. He is also the Local Area Network (LAN Administrator) in the Regional Office, Davao City . He is presently assigned in Bansalan and Magsaysay Davao del Sur, as a Cooperative Development Specialist.

His web alias ‘RANZ ” is the trademark of his computer business in Bansalan. Last July 8, 2001. Randy established Cheranz Computer hoping to share his skills to the community. Cheranz computer is currently engaged in desktop publishing, network games, audio-video and photo editing, web development, tarpauline and billboard design and IT related consultancies and services. The main office is currently located at Skyplaza Building , Quiros St. , and the branch station is located at Viacrusis St. , fronting Petron Gasoline Station, Bansalan, Davao del Sur .

He is actively involved in our Bansalan parish as a member of Lectors and Commentators (LECCOM). During the recent parochial Golden Jubilee Celebration, he composed the Golden Jubilee theme song entitled “Maria, Ina Ng Aming Parokya", a song that he dedicates to his son, JR. Ranz is also an organist. He was instrumental to the organization of the Bansalan Parish Mens' Choir.
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The Story of My Son

This Blog is dedicated to my son, Jessie Ranz D. Albores aka "JR" who has been diagnosed with global developmental delay since he was 3 years old