Exceptional Kenneth
Kenneth in his hook prosthetic
arm.
In our darkest hours, we often find ourselves helpless. We often encounter problems with a terror teacher in school or with an inconsiderate boss at work. They say that problems concerning personal matters like a heartbreak or losing someone is the hardest of all. But what if one day you woke up realizing you've lost a part of you, not metaphorically but literally. Like losing a limb for example. You can't probably imagine how it feels like. How about losing both arms?
The 20-year-old Kenneth stepped into his grandparents' house in Oton, Iloilo at around ten in the morning. Clad in his black shirt and a backpack, his towering height nearly covered the light that illuminated the door. He smiled shyly before he settled in the couch. He is much like a very ordinary adolescent except for the two prominent stumps that made him quite extraordinary.
John Kenneth Lim Flores grew up with his grandparents and aunts in Oton. He went through the stages that we've all been through. Like most siblings, Kenneth and his older brother Anthony, who is now studying in De La Salle University in Manila, has spent so many days building memories that would make them smile decades after. Initially, he lived a quiet and simple life. He plays basketball with friends, join in school activities, and watch TV with family.
When Kenneth was 16 years old, his life suddenly revolved 360 degrees. He was a graduating student of Oton National High School, when a tragic accident happened. On September 18, 2000, after a school program, Kenneth was helping his classmates clear the grandstand when a green coconut stalk fell off touching a live wire while its other end brushed his arms. Suddenly, he felt a numbing pain running through his skin, down into his nerves and muscles. Before he knew it, his body was jerking and he fell on the floor unconscious.
When he woke up, he was lying down in a room of West Visayas State University Hospital. He was observed for five days and was subjected under the knife for amputation by Dr. Vergalia the day after.
When the effects of anesthesia faded, he raised his arms and wondered why it was lighter. He was in shock when he saw a brown bandage looped into his residual limbs. His fingers, wrists, and elbows were gone. His dreams were blown away by the same wind that caused the stalk to fall. The enormous pain that radiated into his nerves was incomparable. The angst that enveloped his feeble heart was indescribable.
With the help of Miss Lourdes Morones, the then Principal of Oton National High School, Kenneth went home from the hospital with sadness in his face. Contrary to the usual reaction, Kenneth went back to school after his stump has healed. He was praised and applauded by his classmates and teachers when he stepped on the stage during their graduation.
Kenneth shows to the writer his ability
to write.
For two years, he was so depressed but he has not thought of giving up. He did not continue his studies after graduating from high school. With the encouragement from family and from friends, he gained back his confidence. He trained himself to be independent by learning the basic daily activities one by one.
"It's probably a big question to everyone on how I do my daily activities. I practiced eating by getting a pancit canton with a fork. It was hard at first but eventually I mastered it," his eyes were devoid of pain as he recalled.
Kenneth had a hard time adjusting. With enormous faith, he prayed to God whom he considered as his source of strength. As his physical wounds were healed by time so was his heart. He learned to accept his condition and decided to make the most out of it.
In 2001, he and his parents moved to a place they rented in Delgado Street, Iloilo City. There, Kenneth found his new friends who played a significant role in his life. Mr. Joselito Flores and Mrs. Melinda Flores, his parents, provided him enough care and attention.
Kenneth's Aunt brought him in Manila in 2005. With the help of his Aunt and of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), he was able to acquire a pair of hook prosthetic arm made at the Trueform Antipolo. For quite sometime, he used his new set of artificial limb. Lately, he decided to perform the activities with his residual limbs.
Now, Hapon as what his friends call him, probably because of his tiny Japanese-like eyes, lives like a normal 20-year-old. He is currently on his second year at ACSI Business and Computer School taking up Computer Programming. Belonging to the young genre, Kenneth is a self-confessed techno rat. He spends most of his time surfing the web and playing arcade games. He too plays basketball like he used to. As a huge Pinoy Big Brother fan, he often stays up late just to see his favorite celebrity housemate Bianca. Since Korean soap dramas are in, Kenneth would sit on the couch and watch Princess Lulu after supper. As to music, he prefers the loud and distinct sound of rock and alternative. Korn, Greyhounds, and Wolfgang are just few of the bands he adores.
"Since I only have class in the morning, I would often go out to see my friends at around 1:00 pm and I would go home at 11 at night," he laughed as he admitted.
When asked to write for us, he abruptly picked the pen on the table and placed it between his two stumps. Without a second thought, he scribbled on the yellow paper. He was fast and his penmanship was legible. He narrated that he learned the skill of writing in a matter of a day. Yes, a day! Seeing my reaction, he quickly exclaimed "love ako ni Lord eh!" and laughed.
"I was not given any special attention in school and it feels good. My classmates were not mean nor rude. I participate in group works and sometimes they would make me as a group leader. I basically do almost all of the daily activities. I have hard time putting on my socks though. I use my hook prosthesis to put on my socks. Tying my shoes was hard for me so I need assistance," he remarked.
Kenneth, who described himself as hardworking and responsible, would like to convey a message to those who suffered loss. "Never lose your confidence and trust in yourself."
The young man believes that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Well, Kenneth took his step by holding on into his dreams. So why are you giving up? It's not too late. Don't just sit there and drown yourself in the ocean of anguish. Because in life there's no such thing as GAME OVER.