By: Catherine Ryan with a Marcela Alarcón Molina   |   Posted: March 22, 2024

Learn how poverty and disabilities are connected and how our amazing church partners love and include all children in their care.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
— Psalm 139:14, NIV
Prayer

Pray For Melany And Other Children With Disabilities

Learn how poverty and disabilities are connected and how our amazing church partners love and include all children in their care.

Written by Catherine Ryan with a Marcela Alarcón Molina
Photography by Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina
Melany and her mother, Kelly, near their home in Colombia.
Nearly 240 million children worldwide, or one in 10, live with some form of disability.

Sadly, the obstacles that come with a disability can be significant — and often go beyond the limitations of the disability itself. Children with disabilities are less likely to start school than their peers without disabilities. They are also less likely to stay in school. They often can’t access the specialized health care they need, particularly in remote communities.

Adults with disabilities are less likely to be employed. Those who are employed generally earn less. As a result, people with disabilities experience higher rates of poverty than non-disabled people. Bad living conditions and exclusion from employment and education put people with disabilities at risk of poor health.

But some people with disabilities have a community of love and support surrounding them that helps break down these barriers. Melany is one of them. She lives in a small town in Colombia. A brain tumor when she was 6 years old left her paralyzed. She has regained her ability to speak and move her hands, but other challenges remain.

Though Melany still faces limitations, her family and church community are determined that her future will not be defined by them.

MEET 14-YEAR-OLD MELANY

Melany sits in her pink wheel chair
Melany was a typical, healthy child when she was registered with her local Compassion center at age 5 . It quickly became a place where she felt loved, protected and accepted. Her mother, Kelly, remembers, “Since Melany started to attend the center, she loved to go. She asked me every week to take her to her class. I didn’t even have to remind her to attend. It was noticeable the love she felt for that place.”

Not long after, however, Melany started falling asleep in class. At first Kelly thought she was just tired. But when it continued, she realized something was wrong. They went to a doctor, who diagnosed Melany with a brain tumor. The news that her daughter was so sick was devastating, but Kelly never felt she had to face it alone.

“I always received support from the center. Her tutor visited her at the hospital and asked about her health. I was deeply sad inside, but encouragement from the center staff made me feel better,” says Kelly. “Even now, a message or call from them changes my sadness to strength. They are a support for us, and I know that if we ever need something, they will help.”

Melany spent months at the hospital, receiving treatment and fighting for her life. When she came home, the Compassion center helped her with transportation and nutritional support. Then, when Melany was well enough to return to the center, they ensured her classroom was easily accessible for her wheelchair.

Melany continues to attend therapy and regular doctor visits. Her dream is to walk again — but even if that never happens, her family and Compassion center remain committed to helping her achieve her dreams, whatever they are.
Melany colors with a friend
“I want Melany to study at the university so she can go ahead and work,” says her Compassion center director, Antonio. “Despite her difficulties, I want her not to feel rejected but loved. I am so happy to be part of her life and help her process.”

Will you pray for children with disabilities like Melany?

  • Pray for more awareness and understanding of disabilities. Pray that attitudes will change on stigmatized issues such as HIV, mental illness and leprosy.
  • Pray that children with disabilities will have more access to health care systems and services.
  • Pray for equal educational opportunities for children with disabilities.
  • Pray that barriers to employment will be removed for people with disabilities.
  • Pray that construction projects — especially public facilities — will include adequate access for persons with disabilities.
  • Pray that governments will take a more active role in protecting and uplifting children with disabilities.

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