So. Calif. Church Makes Out-of-State Medical Treatment for Boy with Cerebral Palsy Possible

(Photo: Facebook/AndrewsAngels123)

Andrew Burkhart,6, suffers from cerebral palsy and is currently receiving "non-western" medical treatment for his condition.

September 16, 2013|5:51 pm

A couple from Phoenix whose son suffers from cerebral palsy and needed out-of-state medical treatment last summer, received help from a church in Mission Viejo, Calif., after its members learned that the family was feeling helpless and in need of financial assistance.

"In an act of desperation really, after reaching out to folks through social media with no solution, I sent an e-mail to 20 churches in the area of Mission Viejo, Calif., where the clinic is and I asked if they knew of any affordable private living situation that would meet our needs," Kellie Burkhart said, the mother of the boy.

The Burkhart's 6-year-old son, Andrew, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy two years ago and after countless treatments with top notch doctors in the Phoenix area, and realizing their son's health was deteriorating, they decided to take on homeopathic treatments instead. Stem cell and hyperbaric oxygen treatments were part of the medical attention he needed which called for isolation from public contact leaving the Burkhart's with no choice but expensive private lodging as their only option.

"Of the 20 churches that I reached out to, only three replied. Two of the three said that they could not help, but would be praying for Andrew, which we very much appreciated," Burkhart said. "Rock Harbor Church's pastor, Brian Hill, replied and said, 'I don't know yet how we are going to help but I know that we will help your family,' and help they did!"

Rock Harbor not only decided to help financially, but upon hearing of the couple's situation, a member of the church decided to temporarily move out of her home in order to house the Burkhart's during their son's medical treatments.

"I sent an email to some of the leaders in our church and explained the situation and asked if anyone knew of a place that might provide a low-cost solution. I also asked, not really expecting it to happen, if anyone wanted to move out of their place for a month and rent out their home," Hill said. "A few days later one of the women on that email list replied and wrote that she was considering moving out for this family! I called her and we talked about it for a while, and she eventually said she wanted to offer her home for the entire time the Burkhart's needed to be here and she wanted to do it for free!"

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So. Calif. Church Makes Out-of-State Medical Treatment for Boy with Cerebral Palsy Possible