Monmen Before Monmen After

We visited Monmen and Songkran on the 24^th of April in the Chonburi Hospital. The first time we met them was in the Banglamung Hospital a few months ago. Monmen is doing so much better than before, he is really gaining weight and growing hair. Songkran is doing good as well, in 7 months he will go out of the Hospital. We spend time with them and we found out the mother of Songkran is also looking out for Monmen, since Monmen’s bed is right in front of Songkran’s bed. The real mother of Monmen is back to Cambodia for her passport, when she comes back to Thailand she will take Monmen in her home in Pattaya. We will try to get a passport for Monmen so he can stay in Thailand. Pai is going to track down the father of Monmen and check if he has a Thai ID card (then it will be easier to get Monmen  a Thai passport)

Songkan is a six-month old baby boy born in breach position presenting bottom first. There was a delay in getting him out and this resulted in lack of oxygen to the brain. He spent the first 2 months in ICU with a variety of problems, then was sent home. Due to infection he has been readmitted to hospital. He takes food and water through a NG tube and is unable to eat normally. He breathes through a hole in the trachea and requires oxygen 24/7. His parents report that he can see and hear, although there is significant brain damage so unsure who much the he understands or recognizes. He appears to have normal, but slowed, reflexes.

Songkan is best at home with his family but they require training how to use the suction machine, care of the trachea etc. When the nursing staff are happy that the family are ready we will provide a suction machine (approx 8,000B), a large oxygen (approx 4,000 B), a small oxygen (approx 2,000B) and a respiration kit (1,500B). The nurses estimate that he will be ready for discharge in around 2 weeks.

We visited him and his mother at Banglamung Hospital along with Margie and Pai from Hand to Hand plus Jenna, who is an Irish nurse. The boy breathes through a tracheotomy and food bypasses his mouth by going straight into his stomach. The mother is very attentive and is learning how to take care of her son on her own, once he is discharged. Ahead of that, we will get hold of the necessary equipment through a hospital in BKK and will follow up once the boy is home..

Fah Sai, our 3-year old girl with cerebral palsy, who had been abandoned by her parents, has now found a new loving home to cater to her needs and disability.

Pai, director of the Hand to Hand Foundation, who initially rescued her from a perilous environment, became her primary care-giver bringing her to their center during the day and to her home at night. Still Fah Sai needed professional care and daily physical therapy.

As of last Saturday, March 24^th, we finally moved her in to the Camillian Home in Lat Krabang, where she  is now resident and will continue to get 24/7 loving care.

You may remember Fah Sai from a previous post, she is being taken care of at Hand to Hand currently and suffers from cerebral palsy.

Her father died, her mother is in jail and never tries to contact her. Fah Sai was neglected when she was young left lying on the floor most of the time and never given any chance for physical activity to strengthen her limbs. Now that she is being cared for and getting physical therapy, she is gradually getting some use of her legs.

We agreed to buy her a wheelchair, which as you can see she is very happy with. We also have some good news regards a new more permanent home for her. Camillian Home have agreed to give Fah Sai the care and attention she needs to grow into a strong and independent little girl. There is a lot of red tape to get through due to her background but we are getting there.

This is 3 year-8 month-old Fah Sai, who is being taken care of the Hand to Hand staff currently and suffers from cerebral palsy.

Her father died, her mother is in jail and never tries to contact her. Fah Sai was neglected when she was young left lying on the floor most of the time and never given any chance for physical activity to strengthen her limbs. Now that she is being cared for and getting physical therapy, she is gradually getting some use of her legs.

We have agreed to buy her a wheelchair, which would allow her to strengthen her arms as well and become more mobile. Sam from SLWF project has priced a wheelchair to suit her needs for 9,000 baht in Sri Racha.

We are also currently looking into a more permanent home for her with trained staff to help and support Fah Sai with the care she needs.