Faith
Chinese Name: He Xufeng
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1997
Special Needs: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle-bone disease)
Faith is not the typical child we have at Harmony House. In fact, she's not even living at Harmony House. Here's her story:
Early in 2008, I first met He Xufang in her remote, dusty village in Qinghai Province. Although she was with extended family, her relatives considered her more burden than family, and she knew it.
As a child she had been dropped. The brittle bones in her legs snapped, leaving her lame. Through a translator, she cried telling me she wanted to walk more than anything in the world. We agreed to try to get her help, and some relatives arrived with her at Harmony House in March, along with a couple of local officials. Before leaving, the relatives asked if we would be willing to keep her.
Near Harmony House is another ministry that helps wheelchair-bound children. It was after we asked them for help that we first learned Faith has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or brittle-bone disease. Because that ministry is experienced in dealing with patients with that exact disease, we chose to partner with them to give Faith the best care possible. Harmony now pays the monthly cost to support Faith at this school where many of her friends have the same condition.
Faith had rodding surgery on her legs in late 2008, and she can now walk! She is receiving physical therapy and special medicine which strengthens her bones. When weather permits she receives water therapy in the swimming pool, very beneficial for developing her leg strength.
Faith has been learning to speak English and is progressing quite well with piano lessons, but she especially enjoys art projects.
We are looking for families who will help us by sponsoring Faith. If you can help, email John@HarmonyOutreach.org.
