The Power of Healing and Dreaming: Ruel’s Story

Ruel’s transformation is seen through his before and after photos!

For eighteen years, Ruel has suffered from knock knees. It is a leg abnormality characterized by the lower extremities turning inwards, causing the appearance of the knees to be touching while the ankles remain apart. Ruel couldn’t walk long distances without experiencing any pain or discomfort in his knees and back. Even in his situation, Ruel dreams of being able to finish school. His parents, who are both minimum wage earners, couldn’t afford to bring him to the hospital for treatment, and Ruel grew up having to live with the disability. “Other people in our hometown would discourage us from undergoing surgery. Despite the opposition and discouragement, I brought my son to CURE anyway because I believe that God led us here so my son can receive the healing we’ve long waited for,” Josephine, Ruel’s mother, shares.

Thankfully, God led Ruel’s family to Tebow CURE when our team met him in one of our mobile clinics in their area. It gave Ruel and his family renewed hope for his future.

Last November 2022, Ruel’s prayers were finally answered as he received the gift of healing and underwent life-changing surgery! The Tebow CURE surgical teams performed multiple surgeries to correct the deformity in Ruel’s legs. First, they released the peroneal nerve found in the knee to help improve his gait or manner of walking. He has now transitioned to wearing a knee hinge brace to support his operated leg. Josephine even shared that he has adapted well to the process and learned to care for himself during each surgery.

Almost three years later, we saw Ruel again when Tebow CURE conducted a mobile clinic in their neighboring hometown. During the mobile clinic, he testified to the patients and their families. “Just trust in God like how I trusted him. Nothing is impossible with God. I waited many years for my treatment, and God answered through Tebow CURE,” said Ruel. And now, Ruel is 20 years old and back in school! He will take the ALS (Alternative Learning System) in June 2025 and dreams of becoming a mechanical engineer.

After fully recovering, Ruel now plays basketball and competes in leagues in his town!

“I am grateful to Tebow CURE. To all the staff, Doctor Micah, Sir Peter, Seeds of Dignity, and sponsors. The staff showed us kindness throughout the time my son was getting treatment for almost a year. And Seeds of Dignity, which became our home. God is good. He provided us with all our needs. And I am grateful to God for the strength He gave me while caring for my son,” Jocelyn, Ruel’s mother, shared.

CUREkid Ruel, a once-knock-kneed patient, fulfilled his dream of playing basketball.

Helping kids heal goes beyond healing physically. In 10 years, we have seen the effect of disabilities and the power of faith and a dream. Tebow CURE is very blessed to be able to provide hope and opportunities for dreamers like Ruel to become the people they want to be. Because of this, we are eager to reach more dreamers in Mindanao and the Philippines.

Want to join in providing opportunities to other kids in need? Find out more about our mission and how you can help

The Power of Healing and Dreaming: Ruel’s Story

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