When they steal your Heart.

 

I want to share the story of a little girl, Thao, who stole my heart last year.   Before I even knew the extent of her medical conditions I was touched by her smile and the attitude of her mother. Thao in 2023.
Thao and I were reunited this year as she returned to our clinic again.   During this year's visit I learned the extent of her medical condition and what a miracle child she really is.

Thao was born with several serious conditions:
   1.   Megacolon -  an abnormal dilation of the colon
   2.   Myelomeningocele-  which is a type of Spina bifida.  Spina bifida happens when a baby's backbone (spine) does not form normally during pregnancy. The baby is born with a gap in the bones of the spine. A myelomeningocele is a sac that contains: part of the spinal cord.
   3.   Thao was born with no anus or genitals.
   4.   She was a paraplegia,  Spinal paralysis, also called paraplegia, belongs to the spinal cord injuries, as well as spina bifida (myelomeningocele).  Thao legs were not functioning.

At birth Thao's mother was told that her child would not survive.   Thao's mother turned to her faith and prayed to God for a miracle.  

Thao is now 3 years old and is very happy, smart and thriving. She is walking, counting and always full of love.   Please take a moment to view the photos and videos of her in the google photo link. Her laugh is contagious.  Google Photo Link:    https://photos.app.goo.gl/JNw9PyqJEeaLDhcQ6    Below Thao 2024

This past week Tao was in National Children's Hospital in Hanoi for a check up so we visited her.  She loved the little doll we gave her and immediately wanted to feed her a bottle and change her diaper because the baby went pee pee.   God bless this child and her mother for never giving up hope. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hit the ground running. Lang Song Screening 2024

Image
  Hi Team, It’s been a busy first week in  Vietnam  🇻🇳.    After a 20 hour flight from SFO ✈️ I was picked up from the airport at 12:00 noon.  After a  2 hour drive to Lang Son Province I was greeted with applause from approximately 60 families waiting to have their child evaluated. From the large group of children we were presented with a special angel Duyen.  Duyen was in the clinic for her follow up visit.   She had a Cleft Lip repair last year at the age of 3 months.    Below are photos of Duyen before her operation and this week during her follow up visit.  The most amazing results I have ever seen that will change her life forever.   It’s transformations like this that make me so proud of the work WE are doing.  For more photos click the Google Photos link :  https://photos.app.goo.gl/XTcvPLr2Bkjom2kr8
Read more

Bac Kan Province Screening- 2024

Image
  Bac Kan Province is the poorest province in Vietnam.  It is also home to only 300,000 residents of which 89% are minorities.   The region is mountainous with beautiful lakes and rivers. This is a new province for us so each day we started our day with training  of local healthcare professionals on the types of patients and conditions we can help with.   Through out the year they will help identify patient in their local communities and refer them to our program. It takes a village, the success of the program is based on your financial support as well as the hundreds of local community partners who interface with the patients in their communities. Memorable moment from the our Bac Kan visit I will call showing up in your Sunday best.  This young boy came to clinic dressed for success from head to toe.  This is a big day for these families.   One lesson I have learned in Vietnam is: “I have been to the poorest parts of Vietnam but I have never mee...
Read more

Yen Bai Province Surgery Week 2024

Image
  Hi Team, Just completed a very productive surgery week in Yen Bai Province. Yen Bai province is about 3 hours north of the capital Hanoi.  Forestry and farming are the dominant industries in Yen Bai.   I was very impressed with the Provincial Hospital where we performed our surgeries.   The facility was built 10 years ago with cooperation from South Korea.  The facility was very modern and our specialist from Hanoi commented that it was much nicer than the National Hospitals in Hanoi.   There are several provinces in Vietnam that have hospitals sponsored or built by the South Korean Government.   Our week was kicked off with a welcome party hosted by the hospital for the patients which included live entertainment, games, treats and gift bags provided by our donors VSUN and Van Meter as part of the " Rebuilding the Smile " program.   The children and parents loved it.  Great way to welcome everyone.  During the we...
Read more