She can hear!
Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 07:30AM | Share Article 
Huge news! A deaf little three-year-old girl, abandoned on the grounds of our orphanage in Xining can now hear! Music, birds, conversation... she is now in a new and wonderful world of opportunity. One that I have always taken from granted, and probably will continue to. Yet, I am still in shock and grinning from ear-to-ear one-week after watching Xiao Shan's reactions to hearing for the first time...
In my earlier blog entries I explained the miracle of how little Xiao Shan came to be in Hong Kong (you can find earlier stories under ‘Archives’ In the right column). She’s had a ‘bionic ear’ implanted in one ear and last week it was turned on the very first time.
Last week I had just returned from asking groups in Australia to help the abandoned children in our orphanages. I flew back to Hong Kong the night before Xiao Shan’s big day. I was so nervous that I couldn’t sleep ! I was nervous for her. What would it be like for her? How would she react? I was also nervous for me - what words should I say to Xiao Shan? Would I fail to hear my alarm clock because of jet lag ? I thanked God for all the people who had made this miracle happen.
Over my years as Christian Action’s Executive Director I’ve frequently been asked by people "how can I help your children?" Xiao Shan’s miraculous story is one answer. It’s the story of a chain of individuals, who independent of one another made a commitment to take action. One example is Dr Gordon Soo, who made use of his contacts. Without his persistence we could not have been connected to the Hear Talk Foundation medical team or the Union Hospital Charitable Outreach Programme. All of these actions together resulted in changing one precious little girl's life forever.
Thankfully for me my alarm clock did wake me up last Monday morning and I witnessed Xiao Shan’s surprised reaction to sound. When the cochlear implant was turned on I said “I love you !” . Of course, she couldn’t understand me. Learning speech and language will take years but once again there are commited and experienced individuals who have graciously come forward to help. When the implant was turned on, the volume was low. It will be increased gradually. Xiao Shan is progressing wonderfully and I promise to keep you updated.
I still want to raise funds for a cochlear implant for Xiao Shan’s other ear, as well as help all the other needy children in our orphanages. To all the extended family of Christian Action, please join with me by using all the ‘action’ buttons in the right hand column. You can email this blog to friends (you never know, they may know others who can also help !). You can donate, you can subscribe and you can promote the blog on Facebook etc. and you can pray.
Thank you and God bless you !
Reader Comments (6)
[...] View full story at http://siewmei.cahk.org/2009/04/05/she-can-hear/ [...]
It's amazing how we take something like hearing for granted. Honestly I probably have been more annoyed at sounds then glad to hear them during my day. To think Xiao Shan has been without this basic function shows how much we should thank the Lord for our blessings and to help others in need. God's love is being displayed here and we must all do our part.
Thank you Christian Action for all you are doing!
Thank you for your comments. Thank you also to Michael Langhout for your lovely article on little Xiao Shan and Christian Action's work to help her.
Read Michael's article on his blog Stratmed http://langhout.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/chinese-orphan-receives-cochlear-implant/" rel="nofollow">here
As the parents of a little girl adopted from China who also happens to be deaf and has received two cochlear implants, I was deeply touched by this story.
Sandra
http://jazzieandtahlia.typepad.com
Thank you for your encouragement. I am encouraged that another orphan gets a pair of cochlea. I am sure she is giving joy as any normal child would. God bless you. Siew Mei
P.S. I love reading your blog- thank you for sharing it with us !
Siew Mei,
It is a wonderful news that the little girl can hear.
Best regrads,
Dr. Zheng