Our team’s final clinic was hosted at the Phong Lan School for Handicapped Children in Dalat, Viet Nam. CORE has held clinics there previously, but this year the school was closed for summer vacation so we were expecting fewer kids to show up. Much to our surprise, when our bus rolled up in front of the building it was swarmed by a large group children and families already waiting. In fact some of the children were so excited that when the doors of the bus opened they climbed right on board latching on to us with hugs, smiles and contagious laughter. I thought to myself “It doesn’t get much better than this!”
Inside, the clinic atmosphere was charged with great exuberance and excitement, natural byproducts of a large room full of uninhibited, happy kids. Organized chaos describes it well.
We were in full swing when I noticed a young couple enter with their son who appeared to be around 8. My heart went out to the boy who was noticeably hesitant and extremely hyper sensitive to his surroundings. He could hear but didn’t speak or make eye contact and it was clear that the noise and movement were more than his senses could handle. Knowing that the wait held an added burden for this family, we worked to fit them in ahead of others.
At one point my heart sank when I saw them leave imagining that it was just too much for the boy. When they returned a few minutes later, I realized that they’d taken him out to help him calm down.
It was at that point that I sensed the palpable love these parents had for their son. They were desperate and determined to help him find relief, even if that meant navigating the wait of the overcrowded clinic.
When the boy’s turn came he was too tense and overtaxed for a chiropractic adjustment, so we ushered him directly to a massage table, his parents by his side. He tried but couldn’t bring himself to lay face down on the table so we began with him sitting on the edge, feet dangling. Massage therapist, and intuitive healer, Tonya Mayes poured a small amount of Relaxation Massage Oil (very generously provided by Young Living Essential Oils) in the palm of his mother’s hands motioning for her to rub them together and hold them in front of her son’s nose.
As he breathed in the calming scent, his small body noticeably softened and relaxed until gradually he was able to lay his body down on the table. As he did, he motioned that he wanted oil in his own hands. So we poured a few drops in his small palms which he repeatedly brought to his face taking long deep breaths.
We stood with his parents watching in amazement as his overtaxed nervous system succumbed to the healing power of natural oil and human touch. Tension visibly drained out of his thin and gangly arms and legs making way for peace to take up residence, as he appeared to melt onto the table. We watched the small miracle of this precious moment in silence. No words were needed.
A spur of the moment decision was made to send the bottle of Relaxation Massage Oil home with the family. The parents repeatedly bowed in gratitude as we marveled at the obvious joy and relief we were experiencing together, human hearts bonding without language.
CORE wishes to thank the folks at Young Living Essential Oils for making this small miracle possible through the generous donation of oils used by our team in VIet Nam. We especially want to recognize Robyn Valentine for her assistance and follow through. Partnerships between profitable companies and not for profit organizations are essential bridges in making the world healthier and more balanced for all. Thank you Young Living Essential Oils!
Love and gratitude on behalf of CORE (Community Reconciliation-Viet Nam)
