Richard - Story of a Young Teen

Richard

Story Of A Young Teen

Richard was just like any other little boy.  He could run and jump and play. Richard was raised mostly by a single mother who loved him and took care of him. When Richard was in his early teens something changed his whole life.  He didn't know it would happen to him. He wasn't expecting it to happen to him. 

Richard's friend's church had a youth activity planned for the evening and I'm sure Richard was looking forward to spending some time with his friend. When they did get together, I'm sure like most teens they were laughing and having a great time kidding and joking around like teenagers normally do. His friend's sister was with them and his friend's dad was driving.

What Richard and his friends didn't know was that there was a young suicidal mother of four children driving on the wrong side of the road and coming at them at an alarming speed. The mother had drugged all four of her children and went on a suicidal mission. 

She struck the van by surprise when the tragedy took place. That very sad day all four children died that were in the car and everyone died that were riding in the van except one, Richard. The young mother lived and Richard lived. 

Richard was covered by his best friends blood and he was aware that his friend was dead and had been thrown through the back of the vehicle and the van landed on top of him. He said he could smell death all around him.

 Richard recalled a young red-headed man who came to his aid to comfort him while trapped inside the vehicle. The young man managed to get his hand into the van and laid his hand upon him and prayed.  Richard said He became concerned for the man because he was shaking very hard. He prayed for the man even though his own life was in jeopardy and he had lost his dear friends.  

Rescue workers told Richard's mother that there was no possible way anyone could have been able to get their hand into Richard. Witnesses said that they saw no one with red hair near the vehicle at any time.  Richards mother on more than one occasion had made a request that the man come forward during television interviews.  She wanted to thank him but no one responded.  To this day Richard and his mother wonder if God had sent Richard an angel.

He was rescued but was told by doctors that he would never walk again. Richard's body was terribly mangled and twisted. His arm hung by tenants and had to be reinforced by metal stakes. He spent around six months at a children's hospital and was a roommate to a burn victim.  My husband collects pop tabs along with people from his work for burned children. Richard said he thinks about that boy every time he opens a pop can. 

Now I know God doesn't always work this way, but after a time God had allowed a new bone to grow in Richards' leg.  Richards left femur was shattered but out of one of the broken pieces another bone grew and wrapped around the other broken pieces and became a complete bone. The doctor said it was miraculous. God put all the broken pieces together and it became a complete bone. He walks slightly different still to this day.  He kind of reminds me of my dad who also walked differently because of having polio in his early childhood, only Richard's limp is not as noticeable.  Anyway, for some reason, God had provided Richard with a new bone. Maybe we will never really know why, but for some reason, God wanted to do it that way.

Doctors have been able to provide artificial limbs for many people who would not be able to walk otherwise. God sometimes provides his miracles through doctors who have devoted their lives to provide a way for a disabled person to live a heather happier life. No matter how it is provided God has his hand in the details of each of our lives and has been merciful in allowing us to find a way for people with a disability to survive independently. 

Richard had to grieve the loss of his precious friends. He probably wondered why he was the only survivor from the van. It took him a long time to get through the knowledge that the mother of the four children lived when she caused the death of her own children and his friends.

I will be back soon to give you an update on forgiveness.

If you have any information concerning this story please send it to susannikitenko@gmail.com as soon as possible. Thanks.   If you have anything to ask Richard yourself, please send your questions as well.

True Story: Susan Nikitenko

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