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Two Acadiana boys bond over rare condition and drawing

Posted at 10:38 PM, Jul 08, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-08 23:38:26-04
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVUIQdujdAo?rel=0&showinfo=0]

On Friday we aired a story of an Abbeville boy overcoming obstacles from a rare condition., affecting only 1 in 3,000 people.

Now, through the power of social media that story has connected Kyrell Briggs to another Acadiana family dealing with the same condition that affects joints in the body.

"Can you teach me how to draw," asked 8 year-old Kyrell.

He had never met another kid with Arthrogryposis, until Sunday.

He didn’t have many questions for 14 year old Deontea Henry, but one thing he was most excited for "the most exciting thing is that he drew all of this," said Kyrell through a big smile.

The boys bonded over drawing cartoons, while their parents shared similar stories of perseverance and encouragement.

"I can see my son in him like in some of the ways he moves and writes and stuff. It’s just a blessing to know someone is so close by who’s had the same struggles and learned how to adapt," said Kyrell’s mom, Victoria Briggs. "I think it’s more encouragement for Kyrell because he isn’t walking independently yet. So to see someone who is walking independently, it might help encourage him."

Sitting next to her, was Kellie Henry, Deontea’s mom, nodding as they realized the similarities.

"It is rare and you need that support. Nobody understands unless they’ve really been through it. So to have that in your life it helps a lot to go through the surgeries, the therapies and the tears that your whole family sheds," said Kellie.

For her, finding out about her son’s condition was not easy.

"[The doctor] told me that Deontea probably would not live and if he would live, he would be non-functioning, he would probably break bones trying to deliver him, I was too young to take on that responsibility. It was just reason after reason to abort and I just kept giving him reason after reason not to," Kellie said.

And that’s something Victoria Briggs could relate to.

"The morning following Kyrell’s birth, [the doctor] walked in and said just prepare for a funeral, just prepare because I don’t see him living longer than a month," said Kyrell’s mother.

Now the boys are standing tall together, cheering each other on and overcoming the obstacles thrown their way.

"And we let them know, they’re not different they just have a physical disability but it doesnt stop anything they want to do," said Victoria.