MS Children Adopt Abu the Savannah

By Joyce Sroufe

The story starts about two years ago when I met Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs, a couple in their late 50’s that have adopted not one, but six MS children. These young people will never know life as we do, for they are forever locked into wheelchairs and tube feedings.

The Gibbs contacted me looking for something out of the ordinary as they already had a Pixie-Bob, and another mixed breed kitty.  Turns out they had been reading about the Savannah and were so intrigued by the breed, they wondered if this cat would work with their special kids. So, the Gibbs made a three-hour trip up to the cattery with the kids in their handicap bus, all kids and wheelchairs strapped in. 

As soon as they arrived, I brought BOO (Now named Abu) to the bus.  Abu began his task of checking out the wheelchairs and each of the kids. After a few minutes, he sprawled out in the middle of the bus, cocked his head, and then rolled over on his back as if to say, “Piece of cake!”

They took Abu home and from that day on he became an important part of the everyday lives of the family.

Robin, age ten, is a beautiful child, whose hands are drawn and legs twisted.  As part of her therapy, twice a day for 45 minutes she must stand and stretch her muscles, which was not a pleasant activity for her, to say the least. Now, with the help and company of Abu as a playmate, Robin finds the time flying by. She no longer cries from the pain of standing, but instead, Robin becomes unaware that while she is playing with Abu she is opening her hands, shifting her weight, and enjoying every minute of therapy.   Robin no longer endures her therapy through painful sobs, and Abu is content to stay with Robin till her time is up, and she is set back in her wheel chair where Abu then comes to her for a last minute kiss and hug before moving on to Kat.

Kat is totally unable to feed herself, stand, or talk, and her small fingers are always in a clenched position   Part of her daily therapy requires that she hold something in her hands while moving from side to side and up and down.  Abu’s interest in the toys helps Kat to hold objects tighter and longer while opening her fingers as best she can.  Her parents have noticed Kat gives more attention to directions of moments with her arms while playing with Abu.  It used to be hard to get Kat to want to do any sort of movement during these sessions, but now she looks forward to playing with Abu. Little does she know she’s in physical therapy.

Requiring tube-feedings, and unable to hear, see, or speak, 16 year old Lisa’s biggest joy is when Abu brings his 25 pound body to her lap while giving her hugs and kisses. Although she has very little to no muscle control, she manages to give a hug to Abu and beams with a smile that will light up a room.

Sometimes we take our furry friends for granted, but when you see how this little angel has worked his magic in the world of darkness and disability for five handicapped MS children, you know wonders never cease to exist. 

Isn’t there someone in your life today that needs a hug? Abu says YES!

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