Creating Space for Our Special Children: Reon’s Story

In 2015, at the tender age of one, Teo Reon suffered a ruptured blood vessel, an abnormality that caused bleeding in his brain. 

To reduce the swelling, he had to undergo major brain surgery to remove a small part of his brain’s frontal lobe, Bay Wei Lin, his mother, recalls.

At the time, God sent many people to support her and pray for Reon, including Wei Lin’s mother and her church community. Even though she was not a believer then, Wei Lin felt God’s presence. 

Soon after, by God’s grace, Wei Lin’s cousin led her to receive Jesus. She remembers praying to God to save Reon’s life through the surgery, and asking Him: “Did you hear my prayer for Reon?”

She sensed God speaking to her in a firm yet gentle voice: “Your prayer is heard.” Suddenly, an indescribable sense of peace washed over her, which she had never experienced this before.

While Reon’s surgery eventually went well and his condition stabilised, the doctor’s prognosis was not positive. Because of the brain aneurysm, Reon might never learn to walk or talk, and would face physical and intellectual impairments throughout his life.

Battling Doubts and Lies

In the weeks and months that followed, Wei Lin had to battle many doubts and lies from the evil one. 

A Season of Wilderness Wandering

In the year that followed, Wei Lin settled into a church with her family. She brought Reon and his elder brother to Sunday school, but became increasingly concerned at the difficulties Reon was facing there. 

To begin with, Reon found it hard to follow and understand the lessons—which were mainly catered for neurotypical children—due to limitations to his learning ability.

Wei Lin shares that the differences between Reon and the other children had been less obvious during the nursery years. But they became more pronounced as he grew older, especially when he turned seven. 

“Children did not know how to connect with him. He frequently got left out during games and discussion time.”

By then, he was clearly at a different learning level from his peers. Yet, remaining in the preschool class was not an option as he was physically taller and stronger than his classmates. 

It was also difficult for Reon to make friends, Wei Lin recounts. “Reon communicates by simple hand and body gestures. Children did not know how to connect with him. He frequently got left out during games and discussion time.” 

More importantly, the lessons were not taught at a level that was suitable for Reon.

So, Wei Lin and her husband took turns accompanying Reon at Sunday school to care for him, as the church had neither the resources nor a sufficient understanding of Reon’s needs to do so. 

This went on for several years. By then, Wei Lin felt that she and Reon had spiritually hit a roadblock.

A New Beginning

At this juncture, Wei Lin started to pray for a church community with an inclusive Sunday school ministry that accommodated children with physical disabilities. 

It took Wei Lin two years to find a new church for her family to call home. Throughout the process, she felt discouraged at times but continued to hold on to God’s promise in Philippians 4:6–7.

Thankfully, by word of mouth and the leading of the Holy Spirit, she found Cornerstone Community Church (Katong) in 2023, which had a children’s ministry catered for special needs children called Jewels.

When Wei Lin first visited Jewels, she was immediately drawn by the safe and inclusive environment it provided for children and youth of differing ages and disabilities. The teachers were patient, warm, and welcoming. 

Embedded within each lesson was a time and space for children to express their worship to God in their own unique ways. Wei Lin saw some children standing, sitting, clapping, and even dancing. 

Taking New Steps by Faith

With each passing week, Wei Lin witnessed how the ministry at Jewels impacted Reon’s spiritual walk.

“He truly enjoys his time there. He’s able to connect and fellowship with other children, learn new worship songs, and most importantly, develop a habit of prayer,” she says. “He constantly reminds me to pray, and isn’t afraid or embarrassed to pray anywhere for anybody.”

“Sometimes he asks me to pray with him spontaneously,” adds Wei Lin, “even when we’re outside—like for a person he just saw.”

Praying Unceasingly

Despite being non-verbal, Reon prays through gestures and by prompting Wei Lin to articulate his requests to God. He is aware that God loves to listen to him and confidently reaches out to Him in prayer. 

“Every night, Reon prays that he can be a fireman when he grows up,” Wei Lin says with a smile. “I pray that he will take up the shield of faith and extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one.

“Sometimes he prays that he can be a traffic policeman, so I pray that Reon will direct people to Jesus,” Wei Lin adds. 

“Reon taught me that God is not tired of our prayers. He showed me an example of praying unceasingly.”

“Reon taught me that God is not tired of our prayers. He showed me an example of praying unceasingly (1 Thessalonians 5:17). I have not stopped praying for Reon’s healing and progress since 2015.” 

At present, Reon remains non-verbal—but he is able to walk with the assistance of a walker.

Wei Lin caught a glimpse of the miraculous on 22 April 2023, when Reon took his first few independent steps at Sunday school. 

“On that day, Reon walked on his own to me!” Wei Lin joyfully recounts. “It dawned on me that this was God’s affirmation and assurance that He had heard my prayers, and this was the place to be.”

That God May Be Glorified

Wei Lin praises God for constantly providing for Reon through the years. “Whether it’s daily, medical, school, or spiritual needs, He is faithful to carry us through,” she says. “Every time He provides, His power and glory are amplified.”

Wei Lin is also thankful for the peace that God has provided in her heart. She has stopped asking God for the reasons for Reon’s suffering. Neither does she demand that God reverse Reon’s disability. 

“I hold on to John 9:3, when Jesus spoke to His disciples about the purpose of the blind man’s disability,” she says.