By Marie-Claude Pelchat | Project Leader
18-year old Chi-Hung was studying fashion and styling when he was injured during the Formosa Fun Coast Water Park Explosion on June 27th 2015, sustaining third and second degree burns over 80% of his body, including his face, neck, arms and legs.
Before his injury, Chi-Hong was an athlete who excelled in a wide variety of sports, but now, simply holding chopsticks or a spoon has become a challenge for him. For Chi-Hong who hoped to become a professional hairstylist, this is a source of disappointment and distress: “The real pain doesn’t come from doing rehabilitation every day, it come from the impossibility of seeing any progress in my status or imagining what my future will be like.”
Thanks to the support of Sunshine’s social workers and therapists, as well as family and friends, Chi-Hong has put a lot of efforts in his rehabilitation. Every day, he sits in front of a pegboard, picking up metal pegs with his fingers and placing them vertically in the holes as rapidly as possible. As his hand dexterity improves, he is able to pick up smaller metal pegs and eventually, he is able to pick up a pair of scissors to practice cutting hair on a hair styling mannequin. He even helps the mothers of other burn survivors at the Rehabilitation Center by styling their hair in a new fashion.
Chi-Hong’s exercises might seem redundant and monotonous, but with every little peg that he is able to pick up, he is getting closer day by day to realizing his dream of returning to school and becoming an outstanding hair stylist. He is now able to see a future for himself.
Rehabilitation is a long and painful process, with ups and downs, successes and setbacks. Your support gives strength to burn survivors so that they can continue moving forward. That is why we invite you to participate in GlobalGiving’s Bonus Day. Starting on June 15 at 9:00am US Eastern time (June 15 at 21:00 Taiwan time), GlobalGiving will be matching gifts made to Sunshine Foundation.
Support Sunshine’s efforts to give burn survivors in Taiwan access to rehabilitation: https://goto.gg/10558
When does Bonus Day take place?:
US Eastern Time: June 15 at 9:00am to June 15 at 11:59pm or until funds run out.
Taiwan time: June 15 at 9:00pm to June 16 at 11:59am
How will GlobalGiving be matching funds?:
A total of US$110,000 is available as matching funds.
Sunshine will be eligible to receive a 50% match on online donations.
What is the maximum amount for a single donation that is eligible to be matched?:
Online donations of up to $1,000 per individual donor per organization are eligible to be matched.
How can I donate?:
Only online donations made by credit card, PayPal, or a GlobalGiving official gift card are eligible for matching. Donations made by check or text-to-give are not eligible.
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