LRS: Story of Xiao Song (2)

Little Red Scarf is in Lanzhou, Gansu and Yunnan province and provides financial support and encouragement to children suffering from congenital heart disease. In addition, they provide families with post-operative care and help the children sustain a healthy lifestyle.


To Story of Xiao Song (1)

On October 23, 2014, Xiao Song could not accept surgery at cardiology department due to aortic straddles. He was discharged and the doctors arranged surgery for him at Cardiac Surgery Department in December.

On December 15, 2014, Xiao Song came to hospital. Xiao Song seemed not so shy when I saw him again. Though we could not understand each other because of different dialects, I could see he is a lively and naughty child.

There was no bed available in Cardiac Surgery Department, so he was arranged to stay at pediatrics observation room temporarily. After finishing hospital formalities, Xiao Song’s father took out a bag of walnuts and gave it to me. I declined with thanks and left the hospital. When I was waiting for the traffic lights at the cross road, his father caught up me and insisted I should accept the walnuts which were grown by the family. For the following days, I was always invited to have lunch with them when I visited them. Though I declined with many thanks, I understood it’s a plain way to express their kindness and warmth. As Yi people, their best way to show their hospitality to their guests is to offer the best they have.

The temperature dropped low during the next day in Kunming. When I met them in the hospital, they just came back from shopping. Xiao Song’s parents were wearing the same clothes as the day before. They were wearing slippers with bare feet. I looked at what they had bought. There’s a bag of bread and a pair of cotton slipper, which were for Xiao Song. They would like to give their child the best though they do not have much. That’s what parents always do for their children. Xiao Song could not waiting wearing the slippers. His mother smiled. 

Xiao Song was coughing in October when he was at hospital. He did not get better in December. Maybe his resistance is weak because of congenital heart disease. Little Red Scarf decided to buy a box of milk to him, hoping he could intake more nutrition and prepare for the coming surgery.

On December 22, 2014, Xiao Song was referred to Cardiac Surgery Department. Foreign experts and doctors discussed his case and planned surgery. Due to respiratory tract infection and other factors, his surgery could not be operated by foreign expert.

It’s the end of a year, so the reimbursement of medical insurance required Xiao Song to settle the bills. The family had to pay for some of the charges. The family did not have money to pay. After discussing with doctor Sun, the hospital agreed the family to pay later. Xiao Song’s father finally felt relieved.

---

Xiao Song's Surgery was well done

On January 5, 2015, the surgery was done. Everything was fine. Early the next day, Xiao Song was moved to normal ward. When I saw him, he was still weak. His father covered his feet with clothes, but he would rather let his feet stay outside. 2 days after the surgery, he seemed much better. He was recovering and it was delightful. 

On January 15, 2015, he would have been discharged if he had not had his wound torn. Early in the morning, the doctor stitched his wound. For a 4-year-old boy, it was very sad and he looked quite unhappy. But he was amused when I showed him the family photo. He sat up when holding the photo. 

Several days later, on January 20, 2015, he could go out of hospital. Looking at the camera, he smiled happily. 

Xiao Song’s family was supposed to pay the part that would be reimbursed by medical insurance later, but his father just had about 100 yuan. I gave him 100 yuan in the name of nutrition supply. After discussion, Little Red Scarf paid the rest of the bills. Anyway, Xiao Song was healed up and it was delightful. 

Xiao Song’s father wrote carefully, “谢谢小红巾” (Thank Little Red Scarf) on the back of the thank-you photo. He was serious and I could feel his gratefulness from every word he wrote.  

The situation of Xiao Song’s family is only a small epitome in rural areas of Yunnan province. Many families had to give up the chance to be healed, for they cannot afford travels and life charges in Kunming, or the part they need to pay before reimbursement. 

Some families, after overcoming difficulties to hospital and hoping to get support from foundations, had to turn back, for they were not able to afford the part they need to pay. Many foundations have their own supporting upper limit. Thanks to some organizations as Little Red Scarf, the situations were somehow improved. 

Giving hopes to people who need help and trying to keep them, the dreams would be turned true. I still remember the sentence in the e-mail of Little Red Scarf: it is more blessed to give than to receive. It’s lucky for me to witness with practice. Sincere blessings to Little Red Scarf and the children.  

Original blog written by Qianhua Liu, translated by Maggie Li and edited by Yanyan Zhang

---

Looking at the camera, he smiled happily

Xiao Song’s father wrote carefully "Thank Little Red Scarf "