My name is Eyob Kurabachew. I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I have two sisters. My mother's name is Genet, she runs our home. My father is a long distance truck driver.
Let me tell my story. My mom didn't notice that I had back problems until she saw me walk limping at age 1. Then she saw that my left leg was shorter than my right. My father said ''all kids walk like this.'' After a while, my limping got worse, so she took me to Black Lion Hospital. They did x-rays and doctors told us that there are some ribs that have stopped growing so my bending will increase and my lungs will congest - and I will die!
My mom was very shocked! She started crying and had no clue that my back had another problem. My mom cried out: "Saint Mary, my son cannot die, please give me strength."
We returned for follow-up. The doctor asked if we could pay for surgery outside Ethiopia. Mom said "yes''- she will sell our house and beg for money.
When I was 2, I was meeting with a medical board. The chief doctor said “A brace will help – when he turns 3, have him measured for a brace.”
My mom and family prayed for me every day. I started going to Ethiopian Orthodox monasteries, got baptized and also drank Holy Water. At 3, my mom took me back to St Paul's hospital and we got the brace. I wore it all day long. At age 4, I wore my brace to school. Everyone – students and teachers – asked about it.
I became nervous about my condition. I got a larger brace. I was so self-conscious, and my mom advised me: “Tell them this is a boxing defense.” That day I was pushed around and kicked. Kids ended up with sore hands. And I stopped wearing the brace.
I lost hope. Then we had a bit of a miracle. A neighbor came and told my mom that there is a “farenge doctor” in Addis Ababa who cures back deformities - for free. But my mom had received enough advice, and did nothing. Later, when I was getting the brace adjusted, the doctor said “we have another patient with the same problem – Dr. Rick sent him to Ghana for surgery. And it was free. And he is OK now.”
My mom said "St Mary this must be you, I will not pass my second chance again."
After a week we went to Dr. Rick’s hospital. On August 25, 2012, we left our home at 5:30am. And we were not the first people at his clinic!
Our name was called and we entered in the office. A short farenge doctor wearing glasses, wearing a camera over his shoulder and holding a cup of coffee, warmly other greeted us.
He must have taken 25 photos. There were no more ways to bend! He told my mom that my case was easier than some others, and that I could be cured. He told her to pray too. I was good in English so I understood most of the things he said. He asked my name - Eyob, my age - 8 and my grade - 3. I answered all in English. At last he asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up. I replied: a space scientist. “Great,” he replied, “Ethiopia needs space scientists.”
A week later, he told us to get a passport. We went to the immigration, got our passport within a week. There was a kind and good man called Kaleab, he was a patient of Dr. Rick and after his surgery he assisted Dr. Rick. Kaleab told my mom to relax - just because he has a passport doesn't mean that he will fly tonight, we must wait until Dr. Rick raises money for surgery. I went back and forth to the hospital for over 18 months. One day Dr. Rick phoned and said ''Mamye”, its an Ethiopian word meaning my mom, “Congratulations, your son got a sponsor so get ready''.
My mom was happy that I was could be treated and be a normal healthy. But also scared that I was flying alone 4,300 km away to Dr. Boachie at FOCOS Hospital. She believed in God and signed consents. It was a very difficult moment both for me and my family. We stood in clinic – patients and their families – and had a group prayer, asking for healing and success.
On June 26, 2014, I flew with 14 other kids to FOCOS Hospital in Ghana, sponsored by the JDC.
My family used to pray for me day and night. After 6 month, I came back to Ethiopia fully recovered, thanks to Jesus and his mother Mary. They had their job done through the hero in real life, Dr. Rick.
Now, I am a grade 11 student and turning 17 in January. If I never met Dr. Rick, I would have died by now, or stopped school and stayed in bed my whole life. God has a reason for every single thing that he does.
My mom used to tell me that God created me this way just to show us his salvation and miracle. She was right. We all witnessed that God can cure. Dr. Rick has lived for over 32 years, maybe half of his life, in Ethiopia and cured thousands of Ethiopians. For free.
There are no words to thank him enough. We see that God exists and is spreading love and kindness through him. He is created for Ethiopian people. I love him from the bottom of my heart. May God bless him more than he already did.
I wish I had money to help. When I get older, I will help him fulltime. Now I buy lottery tickets, so that I can win and fund other patients. Dr. Rick - we will always be by your side.