She can hear!

Huge news! A deaf little three-year-old girl, abandoned on the grounds of our orphanage in Xinging 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.

(Left to Right) My son Danial, myself & my husband Marlon with Xiao Shan.

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 !