Hear Ling's story,
as featured on KS95 For Kids.
One fact about Ling's childhood is clear: she was born ten years ago in China with two clubfeet. Beyond that, the story of her first 16 months is cloudy.
When Bob and Fay adopted Ling, they knew that their daughter had health challenges. In fact, rudimentary medical records showed that she had suffered a coma as an infant, and her weight had dropped to only 3 pounds. But it wasn't until the family came to Gillette that Ling's parents understood the full extent of their daughter's needs.
She Almost Starved to Death
Even after successful treatment of her clubfeet at Gillette, Ling had difficulty lifting the front of her feet when walking. Weak muscles left her unable to stand without support. She couldn't run or jump. With her clubfeet corrected, her parents began to suspect something more was going on with their daughter. "We couldn't make as many excuses for her being so delayed," says her mom, Fay.
After multiple tests and medical evaluations, Gillette doctors surmised that Ling had almost starved to death during her first months of life. The malnutrition likely caused her coma and affected the part of her brain that controls motor function and development.
Ling now receives comprehensive care at Gillette, including physical and occupational therapy, strength testing, and has regular visits with a pediatric rehabilitation medicine physician. "We never knew there was such a specialty in medicine," Fay says, "but we were so relieved when we found it at Gillette!"
"We're a Strong Family Because of Gillette"
Though Ling still struggles with muscle problems - she continues to see a Gillette neurologist who specializes in muscle disorders - the family says they've seen immeasurable improvements, describing their daughter as "healthy and vibrant." For example, the little girl who missed 28 days of preschool because of illness is now thriving in school. She especially loves science, and is learning to speak both French and Chinese.
"We have a fourth-grader who can swim the butterfly, who aces every spelling test, who has lots and lots of friends, and who has few issues about her health challenges," her dad, Bob, says proudly. Ling has even learned to play the piano, despite weakness in her arms and hands.
"We haven't encountered one thing we weren't able to get done at Gillette," Bob adds, "and we're a strong family because of Gillette. Ling is going to have a great life!"
