I started looking after Khyra when she was about 2 years old. She was a tiny little girl with many health problems. She was trached and on a ventilator at night. She was fed thru a tube into her tummy. Many nights she would throw up and wretch horribly. She would de-sat, have fevers and diarrhea, but through it all, this little girl would smile. I used to sit with her at night so her parents could get their rest. Khyra usually woke up during the night. On good nights, when she wasn’t sick , I would play with her and her toys, for a little while, until she became sleepy again. As I usually only got to see her asleep, this was “our time to play” I never told mom this but I loved our “play time!”
Khyra has been thru various surgeries in her life, including the loss of most of her small intestine, so she had to be fed into her veins. She also has osteoporosis, so her bones break easily.
Khyra is now 11 years old. She has grown so much! She communicates by pointing to things she wants and she know what she wants! She is vocal in her own way. If she wants something, she will let you know! She is very active and loves to laugh and play! She no longer has a trachea. She is in a wheelchair but gets around quite easily. She loves electronic toys and is super at operating them!
I learned a lot from this amazing child. She taught me that whatever obstacles there are in life, they can be overcome. The love and support of a good family and good friends and the resources available, all help wonders. She has an amazing family and mom. They would move the world for her if they could!
Children or anyone with a disability, have proven over and over just how amazing they are. They excel in other areas and ways that go far beyond a “non- disabled” persons.
Submitted by Christine Lazurka
