Case No. 2378: Pale-faced and petite, 8-year-old MICO WONG EN QI has had to learn to be strong much earlier than most children.
Just 10 days after she was born, a nurse noticed that she was having severe difficulty breathing. Further examinations confirmed that she had complex congenital heart disease — Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD).
At just one month old, MICO underwent her first heart surgery. At the age of three, she had to undergo another major operation. Now, at just eight years old, she is preparing to enter the operating room for the third time for another major heart surgery.
According to her doctor, as MICO grows, the strain on her heart continues to increase. She needs to have an artificial blood vessel implanted, or her condition could become life-threatening.
Today, even climbing a flight of stairs leaves her breathless. Her doctor has advised her to avoid strenuous activities and running. As a result, she can only stand by and watch while her classmates run and play freely. Thankfully, her teachers and classmates have never distanced themselves from her. Instead, they have shown her even more care and kindness, quietly looking out for this little girl who cannot run like them.
【A father’s unwavering love.】
The strongest source of support in MICO’s world is her 27-year-old single father, WONG KAH WAI. Working in air-conditioning repair, Kah Wai has only recently started his own business. He has to work diligently to make a living, because without work, there is no income. While carrying the burden of supporting the family, he also takes care of his only daughter, fulfilling the role of both father and mother.
Every time his daughter enters the operating room, his heart breaks. She is still so young, yet she has already had to endure pain that many people would never want to experience in their lifetime. But he has no choice except to swallow his pain and keep going. He does not dare to cry in front of his daughter, because he knows that if he falls apart, she will truly have no one to rely on.
【She is mature beyond her years, yet her story is heartbreaking.】
When speaking with the social worker, MICO calmly said that she was not afraid of surgery or pain because she knew that her father would always be by her side. She did not want her father to worry about her. Everyone thought that she was truly unafraid. It was only later that the social worker realized that this little girl had been hiding all her fears and anxiety behind her silence. When she was asked about how she truly felt, she could only shed silent tears.
She does not understand why she had to be born with an illness. She wonders why her father is always so busy. She never had a choice, and deep down, she feels that it is unfair.
【A plea for help.】
MICO’s greatest wish is not for toys or beautiful dresses. She simply wishes that one day, she could sit on a roller coaster and feel the wind rushing past her ears. More than anything, she wants to run freely and experience life like an ordinary child.
The upcoming surgery will cost RM130,000. Although kind-hearted donors have already provided some assistance, the remaining RM70,000 is still an enormous burden for this father and daughter. With no other options available, they have turned to us for assistance.
After reviewing and understanding MICO’s situation, we have decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise RM70,000 for her heart surgery so that this little girl, who has already endured two heart surgeries, can successfully undergo her third operation.
We sincerely appeal to the kind-hearted public to lend a helping hand. Your donation and sharing can help MICO overcome this difficult challenge and give her a chance to fulfil her simple dream of running freely like other children. Thank you.
