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Dear All, We invited Bingbing and family to New Year lunch yesterday and seeing with our own eyes the progress made was both heart rendering and humbling. I felt a huge sense of relief knowing that the family's persistence over the past eight years was not in vain. At the same time, I was overwhelmingly thankful to G for his grace and mercy.
Dear All, We invited Bingbing and family to New Year lunch yesterday and seeing with our own eyes the progress made was both heart rendering and humbling. I felt a huge sense of relief knowing that the family's persistence over the past eight years was not in vain. At the same time, I was overwhelmingly thankful to G for his grace and mercy.  * Bb's condition - She can now drink water and eat by herself. She makes eye contact and occasionally bursts into laughter. Contrary to previous times, her laughter comes from the heart because, we think, she's becoming more conscious and aware of her environment. She responds to stimuli and has an array of facial expressions (some of which are quite cute and funny). She stands by herself and can take small steps with assistance. Bb is quite tall: 1m 67 / 5ft 7". As best summed up by Bb's little brother (who hadn't seen Bb for over a year): "I can't believe this is the same Bb I saw last year."
* On the medical front - Bb has 'Electric Convulsive Therapy' treatments twice a week and will begin physiotherapy shortly. Doctors are stunned with the progress she's made over the last six months and have said that "its nothing short if a miracle". As you know, Bb's condition and medical treatment are unique to the hospital. They have never treated such a case before. If successful, they will use Bb as a proof-point and model for future cases of a similar kind. This is a far cry from a few months ago when we struggled to even get their attention and time. ptl! * Moving forward - Doctors are extremely optimistic about Bb but they warn that her treatment needs to be consistent. If she stops electric-therapy, her condition may regress to the state when we first found her last July (i.e. like a vegetable). * The future and things to pr_y about - In the long-term our vision is this: - i) Help with Bb's treatment until she's sufficiently well enough and doesn't need 24 hour care (her parents currently look after her 24/7. Neither we nor the docs know at this point how long the treatment will take - we need to play it by ear and keep close tabs on her progress) - ii) Equip her parents with stable jobs so they become self-reliant rather than dependent on donations. In fact, thanks to Molly, there's already a job lined up for Bb's parents to help out at one of the elderly homes we visited last year. - iii) Mum and dad are suffering from health-problems themselves through caring for Bb over the past eight years. Mum may have to undergo hip/back surgery in the coming months and no one is sure how safe this is. Mum is obviously quite reluctant: if the operation goes badly, who will look after Bb and family? FIA ("Faith in Action" – i.e. our cell) are under-going a second round of funding raising to secure Bb's treatment for this year. We still have approx RMB14k leftover from last year (budget breakdown available upon request). We have pledges from various donors already, but every little bit helps.
In the Book, it says you only need faith "the size of a mustard seed" to benefit from G's promise. Although poor, this family is rich in faith and holds onto G's promise -- tightly. Against all odds, Bb is on the road to recovery. Furthermore, doctors have taken a heightened interest in her case so she's finally getting the care and attention she deserves.
I'm so inspired and strengthened by Bingbing. If the family wasn’t willing to give up hope during the worst of times, and throughout these years -- then neither should we.
Thanks
Judy -
For Operation Bingbing |
