Flash Back Friday

So I have viewed a couple blogs where they show fun flash backs from the past on Friday. I thought it was a fun idea to show those photo's, so I'm join in on the fun. This is a picture of my cute hubby at about 4-5 yrs old. Erik developed Perthes 'disease' as a child, thus the leg brace. (See Perthes description below)

Sunday Dinner

At a family dinner one Sunday, at Erik's Grandparent's house, about the time of this picture, Pres. Kimball and Camilla showed up for dinner. (Erik's Grandmother and Camilla being sisters.) When Pres. Kimball walked in and saw Erik, he immediately grabbed him in his arms and set him in his lap. Pres. Kimball had a great love for children and especially those with limitations, his own son Edward suffered from Polio. Pres. Kimball talked with Erik and held him for awhile and then, placing his hands on each side of Erik's cheeks, he asked Erik to do something for him, he asked Erik to pray for him. At the time Erik's mom was a little taken back, she felt like Pres. Kimball should be praying for Erik, but as she looked back she understood the wisdom in Pres. Kimball's request. Pres. Kimball had great love and faith in children and he knew that he would be supported in his heavy duties and responsibilities by the prayers of young children like Erik. Secondly, and most importantly for Erik, Pres. Kimball taught him by that simple request to loose himself. Rather than feeling sorry because of his limitation for that brief period of time, Pres. Kimball taught Erik to think and feel for other's and their needs.

This lesson, the significance probably unrealized at the time, has greatly influenced Erik's character. Erik is so good about jumping in and helping out inside and outside of the home. He is such a hard worker, he is so completely honest in all his dealings, he truly wants to help people for the right reasons not for recognition. He does everything he can not to be noticed for his efforts. He is so right on when it comes to living the gospel. Erik really is a powerful influence for good in our home and I just think that Pres. Kimball could see all that when he looked in Erik's eye's.

Perthes is a condition in children characterized by a temporary loss of blood supply to the hip. Without an adequate blood supply, the rounded head of the femur (the " ball " of the " ball and socket " joint of the hip) dies. The area becomes intensely inflamed and irritated.

Perthes disease usually is seen in children between 4 years and 10 years of age. It is five times more common in boys than in girls.
Although the term 'disease' is still used, Perthes is really a complex process of stages. Treatment of Perthes may require periods of immobilization or limitations on usual activities. The long-term prognosis is good in most cases. After 18 months to 2 years of treatment, most children return to normal activities without major limitations.