Through our comprehensive care, CURE ensures that every patient and caregiver is well taken care of. The only thing they need to think about is healing.
Through our comprehensive care, CURE ensures that every patient and caregiver is well taken care of. The only thing they need to think about is healing.
Juzz Steive’s before and after surgery at Tebow CURE Philippines.
What about a child’s smile instantly changes a person’s mood? Is it how their face lights up or the pure joy that radiates from their innocent little face? There are too many reasons why it feels like a gift when we see them smile or laugh. At Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital of the Philippines (Tebow CURE Philippines), there is no shortage of children smiling and laughing—and we feel blessed every day to witness and experience their joy. However, behind some of the sweetest smiles can lie deep anxiety and fear.
We are often so distracted by physical imperfections that we forget to look at the person. But that’s not the case for young Juzz Steive. His personality instantly captured us when we met him at Tebow CURE Philippines. While Juzz Steive was born with a cleft lip and palate—a condition that left a gap in his upper lip and an opening in the roof of his mouth—his personality was not defined by it. He always shared this joy with his family, especially his mother, Flora.
Juzz Steive is Flora’s third and youngest child. Like most babies with a cleft, he struggled to get enough milk when feeding because the gap in his lip prevented proper suction. When he was born, Juzz Steive’s condition became the talk of the town. As a mother, Flora found it difficult to endure all the criticism, especially when people questioned if she had taken proper care of her baby during pregnancy. The pain of the never-ending gossip fueled the family to continually seek ways to help Juzz Steive.
When Juzz Steive was three months old, a onetime medical mission was conducted in the family’s hometown. Unfortunately, due to malnutrition, Juzz Steive did not qualify for surgery and missed what then seemed like his only chance at healing. “I felt upset with God. I asked Him why we had to endure all the hardships of Juzz Steive’s condition. I wondered if He had forgotten us,” Flora recalled.
Unable to comprehend God’s plan in their challenging situation, Flora felt deeply hurt and stopped attending church. Months later, she saw a Facebook post about a Tebow CURE Philippines mobile clinic scheduled in a neighboring town and contacted the local government to determine if Juzz Steive would qualify. Thankfully, the local government helped facilitate their journey to the clinic.
The Tebow CURE Philippines doctors saw Juzz Steive and scheduled him for corrective surgery! After receiving his health clearance, Juzz Steive received his first surgery to correct his cleft lip in August 2024! Flora couldn’t hold back her tears when she heard the news from the medical staff that her son’s surgery was successful. “God is good. He protected Juzz Steive,” Flora joyfully reflected.
In November 2024, Juzz Steive had surgery to correct his cleft palate. During his recovery, his smile and spirit did not waver. He was unlike other kids who would cry due to the discomfort. Not Juzz Steive. He would smile and look around, laughing like he knew how his life was changing for the better.
Juzz Steive never ran out of reasons to smile, even after his palate surgery, when kids are usually tired and crying.
Three months after Juzz Steive’s last surgery, the staff at Tebow CURE Philippines visited his home and experienced his family’s daily life. “He was a happy boy before the surgery. He would always smile. But now, he’s even more active. He runs as much as he can now too,” Flora shared with the team. “We were so happy. My stress has been replaced by pure joy. It feels like a thorn has been removed from us.”
Flora also shared that the community that had once criticized them now saw God’s goodness through their lives and wants to refer patients to the hospital. Flora also shared their experience and gratefulness to the hospital, saying, “They took excellent care of us. The hospital was clean. The nurses took good care of us. To everyone at Tebow CURE, thank you so much!”
And while Juzz Steive has received two surgeries free of charge, his journey is not over. He will soon start speech therapy as part of the hospital’s comprehensive cleft care.
Juzz Steive happily enjoys his snacks as he sits comfortably in his home during Tebow CURE Philippines’ home visit.
Healing goes beyond the physical aspect. It involves restoring faith and relationships that were once broken. Juzz Steive’s story proves you can smile through the storm and emerge victorious in hardships. By participating in the mission of healing the sick and proclaiming God’s kingdom, you can help more kids and families like Flora’s. Spread more smiles by clicking here.
Contact Us
Tebow CURE’s mission is to provide every child living with a disability the physical, emotional, and spiritual care they need to heal. If you have questions about becoming a patient or a partner with CURE, please contact us.
