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Family Stories

Ronald McDonald House® has helped families from all over Asia in coping with the trials and tribulations of a seriously ill child. Here are just a few of their stories.

Mak Suet Ying

September is the month when many students are ready to start a new school year happily. However, last September the nine-year-old Suet Ying plucked up her courage to turn over a new leaf. On 3rd September 2008, when the young monitress was holding some exercise books on her way to the staff room, suddenly, her leg ached and she lost balance. At first, her parents were not too worried about her since many children are too active to get hurt. Then, Suet Ying started to feel uncomfortable with sore throat and fever. Some of her body parts bruised. In spite of continual treatment, she just did not get well.

On 15th October 2008, her mother took her to United Christian Hospital. Her mother was shocked when the nurse told her that her daughter could see the doctor in a short period of time. The doctor asked Suet Ying to stay hospital for further check and she was diagnosed of leukemia at 11:30p.m. Her parents could do nothing but face it. On 16th October 2008, she was referred to Prince of Wales Hospital and got her treatment process started.

Though Suet Ying was unhappy about her disease, she was even more upset about not having the chance to go to school. She cried when she realized that she had to stay hospital and could not play with her classmates any longer. Fortunately, teachers from Red Cross School were arranged by the Hospital to give her tuitions and craft lessons. It made her smile again. Despite Suet Ying’s diligence in learning, her parent kept worried about her health. When asked about the worst time of the treatment process, her father answered without hesitation, ‘worrying about her.’ He loves her child. ‘Preparing her meals, visiting the hospital, staying up late…nothing were as much worrying as her health, especially after that incident…’

It was the time when they almost lost their daughter forever. One early morning, Suet Ying got a fever after bacterial infection and her father rushed her to the Prince of Wales Hospital without hesitation. It was fortunate that they got to the Hospital in no more than a few minutes because they were living in Ronald McDonald House. After treatment, she did not get well and her blood pressure was low. She could not breathe easily. She almost fainted and was sent to Intensive Care Unit. After six hours of operation, the brave child won the battle against death. Her mother cried at the sight of her daughter during intubation. ‘I can hardly recognize her,’ the desperate mother said. After that, her parents stayed viligant against fluctuations on the readings of medical instruments. In order not to make her parents worry, the brave Suet Ying hid her tears. At first, she could not move and speak. Then, with the help of her parents and medical staff, she recovered soon. When the dosage was reduced and tubes were removed, and finally, her parents could heave a sigh of relief!

After diagnosis of leukemia, Suet Ying had been fighting the battle against the disease with her parents. They taught her how to be a brave child. After a long period of eight months, Suet Ying finally completed the whole treatment and gradually recovered. She was leaving Ronald McDonald House - the companion with whom she had been fighting the battle. She would rather stay longer and hope to be a volunteer in the future and help other needy children. Her parents were happy about the maturity and growth of her daughter and were thankful to Ronald McDonald House for their support during the treatment process of their daughter. The road to recovery is the process of adaptation and learning. Little Suet Ying talked about her ambition for the future, ‘it is my dream to become a painter.’ Now, Suet Ying turns over a new leaf. With her hope and confidence, she is paving the way to her bright future.

Chi Kin

Having a baby is always joyful. The mother of a newborn baby should be the happiest person. It is not easy for her to undergo the period between pregnancy and the birth of the child.

Three years ago, Lee’s mother shared the joy of having a baby. However, she was worried after that. ‘Before his birth, the baby was diagnosed with intestinal problems. It was thought that these problems would not be so big…’ To the contrary, the doctor asked her to have psychological preparedness. Both the parents of the child were shocked.

‘The intestine of Chi King was shorter than normal. Part of it had no hope of survival.’ Little Chi Kin did not seem to have experienced these battles, if we judged only from his vivid and curious appearance.

‘We dared not use new drugs because other boys died of cancer as well.’ On one hand, parents wanted to see their children recover soon. On the other hand, they feared that drugs would be harmful to their children.

Chi Kin had been living in hospital since his birth. His mother traveled day in and out to take care of him. ‘At seven, I wash his body and talk to him. At night, I leave him after working hours of hospital’ Support from parents was more important to the speed of recovery than drugs.

However, his mother got depressed after a period of time. ‘Chi Kin weighed seven pounds at eight months old. Milk is the only intake of nutrients for him. But milk has negative effect on the functionality of his blood, lungs and other organs. I began to lose confidence in those drugs!’ She was admitted to Ronald McDonald House and reduced the time of travel from home to hospital. Parents of other children encouraged her to keep fighting the battle with her child.

Fortunate enough, Chi Kin was eventually received a surgery. This surgery, is the only glimpse of hope. However, his parents were in struggle. “There have been no successful precedents” These words implied the anxiety of the poor mother.

With much hope, the parents decided to send the beloved son into the operation room! Every second inside the room was hours of anxiety outside. After 5 hours, the operation was over. Instead of enthusiasm, the parents were filled with more anxiety! “I thought he’s gone!” They had been informed by the doctor that the operation will take 10 hours to complete. “Two doctors were in charge.” The mother said with relief.

Having been hospitalized for more than one year, Chi Kin went “home”. This home-away-from-home is:Ronald McDonald House. “I always tell Chi Kin that only Ronald McDonald House is his home!” Chi Kin was admitted to Ronald McDonald House after hospitalization. Today, although Chi Kin has fully recovered, he is still happy to join House activities each week. His mother is a volunteer in the House. They believe that the House is a home of lovely warmth and growth.

Looking back at years of treatment, the mother recalled, “What a hard time!” When she saw the innocent son playing around, she couldn’t help crying in sorrow and thankfulness. She felt mercy from the survival of her child. ‘His life belongs to all those who had saved him. His good health is all that I wish everyday.’ This simple wish is exactly the meaning of the name that she gave her child, ‘Chi Kin’ (which means ‘healthy son’).

Adversity brings about maturity. Only after fatal illness can one truly understand how precious health and life are. Today, Chi Kin and his parents are turning a new page. They are enjoying a wonderful journey of life ahead of them.

Chu Chi To
Chu Chi To was born in a small town in Canton, June 2003, He was a very cheerful happy little boy who brought much fun and love to his family.

But on the 27thApril 2005, Chu Chi To's life changed forever, 85% of his body was burned in tragic circumstances, But miraculously Chu Chi To survived thanks to the dedication and round the clock care from his doctors at the hospital where he was treated.

However, Chu Chi To's family have spent all their money to help pay for ongoing medical costs and rehabilitation. His mother has had to stop work to take care of him. Since his horiffic accident Chu Chi To has had no outside contact or a normal life like any other little boy. He is nearly of school age but is facing discrimination from all walks of life, as well as having no friends, no school will enrol him. so far it is only a few volunteers who teach him what they can and a neighbour drops by when he can to teach Chu Chi To how to drawn.

At the moment, Chu Chi To receives no support from the local Govt.any ongoing costs have to be paid by family or through donations. all Chu Chi To wants is to learn and be like any other child his age. he and his mother have never give up.

Hopefully, donations and through the media, Chu Chi To can be provided the chance to lead a normal life, he and his mother are so grateful for this opportunity for you to help. as well as donations, such things as books and educational DVD's can make a huge difference to his life.

Chu Chi To and his family thanks you for your support.

Chung Yin
"How come it is me, but not other children, to suffer from the disease?" The 13-year-old Lee Chung Yin questioned about life when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right forearm at the age of 8. Having been living in Australia, he returned to Hong Kong with his family for treatment in the Prince of Wales Hospital as soon as the diagnosis was confirmed. As his family could not find any suitable places of shelter in Hong Kong, they were advised by the medical social worker to live in Ronald McDonald House which is next to the hospital. Looking back into his life in the House, Chung Yin said, "I was a bit nervous at the beginning as I had been living in a much bigger house in Australia. However, I learnt to get through it with the support from my friends in the House." "During the period of chemotherapeutic treatment, I often felt dizzy and sick. I was uncomfortable because of poor appetite and hair loss. Every time I returned home after treatment, I feel much better in the company of my friends here. We are family. Their words help me through with the pain." Besides providing him with the place of shelter and daily necessities, the House succeeds in bringing beams of hope to the child!

Kee Wo
Law Kee Wo, a nine-year-boy, visited the Prince of Wales Hospital with his father and uncle last winter. When he was young, a small tumor, which grew bigger with time, was found in his right eye. He did not receive any medical treatment as his family could not afford it. Later, the tumor, which grew as big as the fist of a man, prevented him from opening his eye and double vision created. His ability to hear and speak was also affected. Not until last year was his case revealed in a visit to China held by an organization in Hong Kong. Later, he was admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital for an operation to remove the tumor. As none of his relatives resided in Hong Kong, his family was advised to stay in Ronald McDonald House when they arrive in Hong Kong. His uncle was thankful to this temporary place of shelter for providing Kee Wo with a comfortable environment for faster recovery. For a child like Kee Wo who travels far away from his hometown to Hong Kong for medical treatment, they need both care and support. In Ronald McDonald House, Kee Wo has made new friends with similar fortune and learnt to adapt to this new environment. His smiling face speaks for himself!

Sha Sha Smiles Again
"Sha Sha", is a common girl's name in China. However, what happened to this little "Sha Sha" was most unfortunate.

Sha Sha was born in a small village in Qingdao where her parents are farmers. When she was 4, she was seriously injured when her house burned down in a fire. Sixty percent of her skin was burnt and she was hospitalised for 40 days in her hometown. Though she went through six skin transplant operations that saved her life, the burns on her body restricted her movement. She could not move her head and her fingers webbed together. She became totally dependent on her parents' care.

In their desperate effort to find medical treatment for her, her parents sold all they had, borrowed money from relatives and friends, and begged their way to Shanghai to seek medical help. But they discovered they did not have enough money to do anything there for poor little Sha Sha. Just as hope for Sha Sha's rehabilitation looked dismal, a Hong Kong voluntary medical group came to help. They offered free medical treatment to Sha Sha in Hong Kong, and Ronald McDonald House provided free lodging for the family.

During their stay, the House helped Sha Sha and her family raise funds for their needs in Hong Kong and get sponsorship for free return airfare to China.

After seven operations and many physiotherapy treatments in a span of four months, Sha Sha made substantial progress. She could write with her hands and feed herself, and the scars on her face smoothened.

She is currently back in her hometown and continues her physiotherapy there. She has a long way to go to recovery, but having received the best possible treatment, she is now smiling again.

Yu See
The story of the three-year-old Yu See is most legendary. She was born in Shenzhen where she lives with her family. She started to lose her appetite in November 2002, but the doctors diagnosed that she was fine, despite that her situation was worsening. She started to suffer from diarrhea. Her family took her to the hospital in Guangdong for a month, but her condition simply deteriorated. Her family was all the more worried, when she couldn't even walk or talk properly and was always ashen and pale.

In desperation, they took Yu See's medical record and came to Hong Kong for help. However, they could not afford to stay in Hong Kong , as they found no support from anywhere. Feeling hopeless, they went back to Shenzhen, where the doctors believed Yu See's condition was fatal and rejected her from the hospital.

Hoping to find the beacon through the darkness, they came again to Hong Kong , The Prince of Wales. The girl's situation but declined further. Yu See became half-paralyzed and half-blinded. All treatment seemed to be in vain, but they have never lost hope, until one day, miraculously, Yu See suddenly came back to conscious and recovered significantly. However, it was then the SARS period, and her parents are not allowed to stay overnight in the hospital. Yu See's critical situation definitely needs care. To solve this problem, their friend, apparently a resident of Ronald McDonald House recommend them to the house. Yu See's parents are very happy to find this convenient place, where Yu See recovered speedily. They also find support from the other families, as they share the mutual understanding to taking care of a sick child. They exchange ideas among themselves. They are very happy to stay in the house, where Yu See treats the place home.

Shan Shan
Shan Shan first arrived at the Ronald McDonald House when she was eight. She came to Hong Kong with her mother upon her grandfather's suggestion, leaving her father and younger brother back on mainland China .

When Shan Shan was three, she sustained major burns after a bucket of boiling water overturned on her. Overtime the burns grew worse instead of healing (as they were found to be abnormal) and she needed to seek medical help. Seeking help from the mass media she was transferred to Hong Kong and the Ronald McDonald House through the Apple Daily. Upon arrival she underwent surgeries and weekly stretches of treatment to aid in the healing of her burns. She has to wear pressurized clothing to contain the abnormal burns. However, the love and care provided to her by the staff at the house has always soothed her pain.

She likes the house and finds it aids in easing the emotional distress for not only herself but also her family that her injury has brought on. Although she misses her father and little brother, she appreciates the comfort she enjoys in the house. Outside of the hospital and barrage of medical treatment received at the house, she also has English tutorials with a tutor organized for her by the house staff. Although she does go home, she has come to call Ronald McDonald house her second home. Despite the fact that she still has to undergo four operations in the future she is optimistic. She is extremely appreciative for all that Ronald McDonald house has done for her and children like her.

Tseng Lai Ting
Tseng Lai Ting is 4-years-old and lives in Tsuen Wan. Her father works as a general worker and has no particular occupation, while her mother devotes her time in taking care of Lai Ting at Ronald McDonald House. Her family lived in difficult circumstances.

She suffers from leukaemia and was referred to the Prince of Wales hospital in late June for treatment. The situation was critical and an unpleasant experience for her as a young child. She was in intensive care and has to undergo 3 stages of chemotherapy. The pain and depression bore down on her and her parents heavily, despite the effort of the hospital staff to make her stay enjoyable; she did not find the hospital a comfortable environment. Then came Ronald McDonald house.

Her mother first heard about Ronald McDonald House from social workers. It was a new and strange idea to her and she weren't sure whether it would be a suitable place for Lai Ting to stay, but now they are really happy in the house. They are very grateful to the staff. They provide accommodation for them, and are always pleasant and helpful.

As for Lai Ting, she has enjoyed her time at the house. The house provides a nice living environment and excellent recreational facilities for the little girl who doesn't like hospitals. She is in the company of other children where she can play and read in a relaxed environment. During Mid-Autumn Festival, the house organized a party with mooncakes and lanterns, which she really enjoyed. The house has truly provided the children with the most balanced lifestyle.

Wai Wang
Wai Wang lives in Shenzhen with his brother and parents. Their life was disrupted when he was diagnosed with Leukemia in Guangzhou .

He and his parents came to Hong Kong , the Prince of Wales hospital, where they have begun the two year treatment. He has already completed 8 months of chemotherapy and has just completed the second stage of chemotherapy.

They first heard about the Ronald McDonald house in May from some friends who recommended it to them. The Prince of Wales also recommended them to stay there. They are really glad that they are here. While he was in Guangzhou the parents were not allowed to leave the sick bays, it was very uncomfortable and depressing, and Wai Wang would sit on the bed, not doing anything. At Ronald McDonald House not only does Wai Wang find it a nice place to stay, he sees Ronald McDonald House as a second home. He plays with the other children and is very energetic. He finds it really fun to be here, and always wants to return to the house when he was in the hospital. His parents also like it as they find it easier to cope with their son's illness due to the help the House provides. They can go shopping for food without having to worry, he is well looked after by the house. They also have the support of other parents with whom they can talk to about their worries. They simply cannot express their appreciation to the House with words.

Mother and Son Recovery
Little Gang-Qian was diagnosed with a giant haemangioma a few days after birth. Because of his tender age and location of the haemangioma, doctors in China hinted to his parents that they should give up on Gang-Qian. But like all parents, they looked for every opportunity and never gave up on Gang-Qian. With the assistance of the Guangzhou International S.O.S. Clinic, treatment was arranged for him in Hong Kong.

Gang-Qian and his mother stayed at the Ronald McDonald House throughout the boy's treatment at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Gang-Qian recovered and progressed well. Mrs. Feng, on the other hand, also 'recovered' with the support and consolation of other parents staying at the House, and with the help of the House's caring staff and volunteers.

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