Angels in Disguise

There is no way to completely resolve or cure arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. That's a very sad prognosis to hear about one of the little children in Xining Children's Home, but where there's life, I believe we must persist in helping a child be the best person they can possibly be. And that persistence and assistance comes in many forms. Sometimes it's in the form of an angel who is a medical foster parent!

Six months ago little Qun left Hong Kong after life altering surgery for that rare congenital condition.  Qun’s case was the most complicated Dr. Liu had ever seen.  She was born with severely deformed wrists and ankles, so walking and using her hands would have been impossible without surgery.

Qun recently returned to Hong Kong so that doctors and therapists could examine her progress over the last six months and plan her future treatment.

During her stay here Qun is being fostered by Sarah Kong and her family. Sarah is a qualified nurse who helped care for Qun while she was here last year. Sarah is well trained to carry out Qun’s daily physiotherapy, strengthening and reactivating muscles which have been dormant due to Qun’s condition. With the right kind of intervention, those muscles can be ‘awakened’.  However, doctors have no way of knowing exactly how much mobility Qun will acquire.

Because many of her muscles are weak, Qun needs to make a big effort to move them, something she doesn’t really like to do. Sarah has therefore devised ingenious ways of getting Qun to co-operate. The first time Qun stood on her own two feet, she made it very clear that she didn’t like it at all. It felt awkward and uncomfortable. Now Sarah entices Qun into a standing position by placing her in front of their fish tank at home. Qun loves the goldfish! She forgets her discomfort, and even lifts her arms above her head to try to touch the fish tank!

She couldn’t do that before she came to us!

Like Pande, who has a similar condition, Qun cannot do the everyday things we all take for granted.

Sarah Kong epitomizes a medical foster parent. She is completely devoted to Qun and loves and cuddles her as much as the little girl needs. At the same time Sarah knows how important it is for Qun to become independently mobile, so she uses each and every opportunity to encourage Qun to move, incorporating massage and movement into everyday activities such as playtimes and bath times. Please keep praying for Sarah and Qun and also all of Qun’s doctors!