From Stuart Segall, pastor, Eureka/Crescent
City/Red Bluff, CA
Eighteen-year-old
Joshua Dye of the Red Bluff congregation, has a rare
genetic condition called Ataxia Telangiectasia. It
causes progressive neurological degeneration, immune deficiency, a great
proclivity for cancers, affects a number of different parts of the body and all
motor control. There are no cures for any of the problems associated with A-T.
Josh constantly fights nausea, at least partially caused by uncontrollable eye
movement, has no appetite, and is dangerously thin. He will be checking in to Stanford
Oct. 29th or 30th, to have G.I. testing and possibly a feeding tube inserted
through the abdomen—maybe permanently. He absolutely does not want this, and
desires God’s intervention to heal him of whatever is causing this great
difficulty with food. He cannot get sufficient liquids down without great
discomfort lately either, so dehydration is also a worry.
Overall,
Josh ranks as doing amazingly well, considering the diagnosis, compared to
others with A-T. God has both protected him physically, and given him great
internal strength to deal with the disease. The family wonderfully accepts
God’s will, realizing there must be great purpose in a trial with so heavy a
burden for a child to bear his entire life. For the parents, the decline is
difficult to watch and deal with. Also Josh hates any attention brought to his
condition. The family asks for prayers of courage, strength and wisdom in
medical decisions, and of course, it would be wonderful if God would intervene
and that Josh’s genetic code was entirely changed.
Josh
is humble and meek and did not want his address posted.
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