Rehabilitation for burn survivors in Taiwan

"Let's make some time to visit Ning Ning soon!" Missing our little sunshine Ning Ning, who lives in a remote village, both the therapist and social worker of Sunshine’s Central Service Center in Taichung make sure to visit her every month.

When Ning Ning was two years old, she accidentally got scalded on her arm and right leg when she followed her family into the kitchen while they were cooking. With limited medical resources in the mountainous area where they live, her family had to take her to a hospital that was a 1.5-hour drive away, marking the beginning of a long journey of medical treatment and battle with scars.

After Ning Ning returned home from the hospital, her extensive scarring required her to wear pressure garments and undergo rehabilitation. However, because her father needed to work outside to support the family, and her mother couldn't drive or use public transportation, Sunshine’s therapist and social worker embarked on a monthly journey that involved crossing mountains and valleys, all in the hope that Ning Ning would no longer have to walk on tiptoes due to the scars.

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye. The arduous round trips of 160 kilometers were worth it. Following reconstructive surgery, Ning Ning's leg was finally freed from scars that limited her movements. She no longer had to walk on her tiptoes like a ballet dancer but could take confident strides forward. During each visit, apart from rehabilitation, the social worker read books and taught Ning Ning how to recognize words. Now, as Ning Ning starts going to school, she willingly shares her school adventures with her friends at Sunshine, leading a refreshing school life, no longer confined at home due to burn scars.

Her rehabilitation journey has come to an end, and although Ning Ning may still face challenges in the future, we believe that as long as she holds onto the spirit of never giving up, she'll have the opportunity to soar again.

We'd like to say to Ning Ning: "Dear Ning Ning, please remember that there were social workers and therapists who were willing to overcome all obstacles, crossing mountains and valleys to visit you. You mustn't give up on yourself!"

Pediatric burn survivors and their families living in remote areas face considerable challenges:

• Pediatric burn survivors in remote areas often have limited access to adequate medical resources and specialized care, making it challenging to receive timely and appropriate treatment. Many face geographical barriers to accessing medical facilities, leading to long and arduous journeys for medical appointments and treatments.
• Pediatric burn survivors typically have extensive physical scarring, which can impact their mobility, appearance, and overall well-being. Rehabilitation and scar management become essential but challenging aspects of their recovery.
• The need for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and possible surgeries can impose a significant financial burden on the families of pediatric burn survivors, especially if one parent needs to work outside the home to support the family.
• Burn injuries, especially for children, can have a profound emotional and psychological impact. Coping with the trauma, scarring, and potential societal stigma can be emotionally challenging for both the child and their family.

By supporting Sunshine, your donations allow us to:

• Carry out regular home visits: The social worker and therapist made monthly home visits to check on burned children and their family. This regular contact ensured that they were continuously monitoring the child’s progress and addressing any emerging needs.
• Provide financial aid to partially cover treatment costs, transportation or daily living costs.
• Provide rehabilitation and scar management services: The therapist can devise a home rehabilitation plan to help improve the child’s mobility and manage scars effectively. This includes exercises and the use of pressure garments.
• Provide emotional support: Pediatric burn survivors often face emotional challenges. The social worker can offer emotional support and counseling to both the child and the family to help them cope with the trauma and stress associated with the burn injury.
• Facilitate school re-entry: Social workers can create a supportive environment for a child with burns at school through social education activities for classmates and school adaptation program.

During the Little by Little campaign, from Sept. 18 to Sept. 23, all eligible donations up to $50 per unique donor made to Sunshine by credit card or Paypal will be matched at 50% during the campaign*, and funds will not run out!

GlobalGiving’s September 2023 Little by Little campaign will last 5 days, from September 18, 2023, at 00:00:00 EDT to September 22, 2023, at 23:59:59 EDT. Don’t miss this opportunity to maximize your contribution!

* Donations above $50 USD will be matched on the first $50 USD. The match offer is restricted to donations made by unique donors per organization.