Kelley’s story is one of determination, faith, and a healthy amount of resiliency. Being born a healthy little girl, it was shocking to say the least, when after several visits with medical specialist, Kelley was diagnosed at age 5 with a very rare autoimmune disease called Rasmussen’s Encephalitis. As Rasmussen’s progresses, it causes seizures unresponsive to medication, and deterioration of half of the brain, or one hemisphere. The only cure is to have that half of the brain removed or disconnected. Kelley had surgery at John’s Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland on February 16, 2012. She had the left half of her brain removed. Living, Breathing Testament of God’s miracles BY: NANCY PHILHOWER As you may imagine, this type of surgery requires extensive therapy to recover. Immediately after surgery, Kelley had to relearn how to walk, talk and eat again. She pushed herself continually, and, through the prayers and support from so many, she kept beating the odds. Today, Kelley is a Senior in High School at Liberty Christian Academy, playing on the Varsity Basketball Team, a member of National Honor Society, attending Wright State University in the fall to follow her love of Anatomy, and has just returned from a mission trip in Costa Rica. While in Costa Rica, she gave a testimony about her life’s challenges and encouraged the people of the village where she was working. She reminded them that “God is always with you through the good and the bad.”, ending her testimony with reading the verse John 16:33 in Spanish. Although Kelley has been through such an extreme amount of adversity, she continues to have an abundant amount of faith in God, and has become a living, breathing testament of His miracles.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 NIV
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