One day, this 17-year-old dreams to stand… to stand for the truth, and the oppressed.

Franz Darelle of Lumban, Laguna wants to be a lawyer. He is an incoming college freshman this June. Smart and hardworking, he received honors as a high school student and secured himself a scholarship in college.

He dreams not only of improving his family’s situation but of uniting our nation. He has set himself on such a mission, he says.

But Franz was born with muscular atrophy. He cannot walk. Reaching his dreams may be difficult, if not impossible.

When he reached second year in high school, his legs started to weaken. He could no longer hold himself up. Doctors suspect his condition could be congenital because even his sister was diagnosed with muscular atrophy.

According to his father Mang Francisco, doctors suggested electromyography (EMG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help diagnose Franz’s condition and possibly address it.

The high cost of these medical procedures, however, leaves Franz still limping. They do not have enough for his treatment.

But he does not lose hope. He has learned to rely on the Word of God for strength and support.

“God is always near,” Franz says. “He is the greatest blessing I could ever have.”

April 26 was the day when God presented to Franz some of His blessings-- a new wheelchair for him and for his sister through Operation Blessing, in partnership with Free Wheelchair Mission.

“These wheelchairs are God’s blessings,” he says, his heart filling with gratitude.

Through the messages and the prayers of the OB team who visited their village in Laguna, he also received Jesus Christ into his life. And he is filled with more hope and encouragement as he waits for finances to pay for his treatment.

In the meantime, Franz is ready to go to college and start being the lawyer he can be.