Congenital Syndactyly Repair for Difficult Child
In the spring of seven years ago, a newborn named Xiao Xiao was found at the gate of a welfare home. His hands and left foot were deformed, and his thin nails were like a layer of mucous membrane covering the nail bed. During the first few months of his stay at the welfare home, Xiao Xiao was so ill due to his bad health condition and had to see doctors very often. At the age of 7 months, Xiao Xiao was fostered by a warm and loving mother. Under her care, Xiao Xiao’s physical condition gradually improved and stabilized. This ordinary farmer mother gave Xiao Xiao the most abundant love and care, and he grew into a strong, confident, intelligent, and grateful boy.
Xiao Xiao realized that he was ‘different’ from other children after entering the kindergarten. His fingers could not be separated and held together as freely as others, and his left hand could only rely on the gap between the fingers to ‘clip’ things up. He could not run as fast as the other kids and had to walk slowly, or he would fall. However, these ‘differences’ never made Xiao Xiao feel discouraged. Instead, these made him more determined to overcome them: “After I am treated, I will no longer be ‘different’ from you!”
Xiao Xiao underwent his first hand-finger repairing surgery, which was not entirely successful. Nevertheless, he remained optimistic, happily live with his mother after the surgery. In the kindergarten, Xiao Xiao excels in mathematics and is able to draw with flexible hands. He assists his mother with household chores, he also learns about life and health information from the internet. He shares his information with his mother and advises her on what is good or bad for their health. Although he is still young, Xiao Xiao already knows how to protect his loving mother in his own way.
In the summer of 2023, United Foundation for China’s Health reached Xiao Xiao and his mother through a charity partner, and arranged immediate visits to orthopedic and endocrinology departments in Beijing United Family Hospital. After the doctor’s examination, it was discovered that Xiao Xiao suffered from congenital syndactyly [toe] deformity, patent foramen ovale and developmental delay. Following consultation and evaluation by doctors, they decided to start the treatment plan by stages, the first treatment is to repair his toe. During the pre-operative examination, he smiled at doctor and pointed out where his toes need surgery. Doctor smiled back and said, “Haha, I will do what you say.” Perhaps Xiao Xiao has fantasized many times before about how to get his fingers and toes ‘back to normal’ and how the operation would be performed. He knew that after the surgery, no one would ever talk about his differences again. At that moment, he realized that his dream was finally coming true.
In January of 2024, Xiao Xiao underwent a successful repairing surgery on his left foot. The plan is for him to undergo endocrine therapy after the surgery in hopes that he will grow taller. Xiao Xiao will be starting first grade this year, and his mother hopes to complete the surgery before primary school starts. She believes that this will be a new beginning for Xiao Xiao, and she hopes that with everyone’s love and support, he will start a new life.