By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Feb 14: Gifting a child with something that they have been yearning for and watching their eyes light up as their wishes come true is a magical thing, even more so when it is a child stricken with a life-limiting or terminal illness.
For young Stephanie Ngian Robin and Terence Yek Koo Hao, both from Bintulu, their wishes came true thanks to the efforts of the Children’s Wish Society of Malaysia (CWS).
Stephanie, only 10-years-old, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer.
Over the last few years, this has impacted her quality of life and her condition was complicated with pseudobulbar palsy.
This disease also means that Stephanie requires home ventilation once she is discharged from hospital.
On Feb 11, Stephanie was visibly excited when CWS presented her with a tablet she had wished for.
Despite the inability to speak, she managed to reveal to her doctor that she would love to have a tablet so she can watch her favourite movies on a bigger screen, and spend the rest of her time in comfort.
When Stephanie received her tablet, she grinned from ear-to-ear and it brought tears to her sister’s eyes and her doctor to see her so happy.
Repeatedly thanking CWS, Stephanie gently said that her favourite movies are those featuring British comedy character Mr Bean and the Upin & Ipin cartoon.
Her elder sister immediately set up the tablet so she can watch her favourite shows from the comfort of her hospital bed.
Meanwhile, Terence, 15, has always had a fascination with Legos and building them ever since he was a child.
The shy and lanky teenager was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a disease that effects his lungs, digestive system and other organs.
One of his favorite activities that has gotten him through his arduous journey of treating his condition is assembling Lego models, something which he has developed a knack of doing in a short amount of time, even with difficult sets.
When Terence wished for a Lego set featuring Marvel Universe characters’ The Avengers, CWS fulfilled it right away.
On the day CWS paid Terence a visit with few the Lego sets in-hand, he couldn’t stop smiling the entire time.
It didn’t take long for Terence to get started on a set while his mother and doctor watched in amusement.
Thanking the management and doctors of Bintulu Hospital and volunteers from Sarawak who helped make the wishes a success, CWS president Teoh Teik Hoong said the society was founded in 2008 to make the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses across the country come true.
“It warms our hearts every time we see a young boy or girl smile when their wish is fulfilled,” Teoh added.
More information on CWS can be found at its Facebook page under CWS Malaysia or by contacting Nancy Nais at nancynais@yahoo.com. — DayakDaily
