Scoliosis - Mok Ho Cheung

8-year-old Mok Ho Cheung always has a carefree smile on his face, making it hard to imagine that his small body carries a visibly protruding spine. Four years ago, Ho Cheung was diagnosed with scoliosis, which had already reached 60 degrees and soon worsened to nearly 70 degrees, far exceeding the critical 40-degree threshold, necessitating urgent surgery.

At just four and a half years old, he underwent his first surgery, which was successful. However, bad news emerged a year later: inflammation occurred at the surgical site, requiring a second surgery sooner than expected. Subsequently, the screws loosened, causing the "growing rods" inside his body to protrude, making it impossible for Haoxiang to even walk due to the pain. "He couldn't really sleep; it hurt so much, he would cry out," his mother recalled with tearful eyes.

Everything… was just the beginning

Due to Ho Cheung's growth rate, he needs to undergo surgery to replace the "growing rods" every six months to two years. Doctors cannot predict how many surgeries he will need, and his mother neither knows nor dares to imagine how much more pain her son will have to endure. She is only certain that each incision not only pierces Haoxiang's skin but also stabs her own heart and lungs.

A Decision: Crossroads in Life

Ho Cheung, whose body is supported by "growing rods," can choose to stop replacing them early, between the ages of 15 and 16. However, the cost of enduring two fewer surgeries is that he will no longer be able to grow taller. At this crossroads in life, Mrs. Mok candidly admitted that after her son's two surgeries, his walking stability improved, and his car sickness decreased.

"He can't even carry his backpack!" Basically, Ho Cheung cannot carry heavy objects. When he goes out, he can only carry a small bottle of water; carrying a liter would be his limit in 10 minutes. He would vomit even on short car rides, and his protruding spine prevents him from leaning back against the seat, causing many inconveniences in his daily life.

Head full of fibroids

As a child, due to swelling on his forehead, an MRI scan revealed hydrocephalus and benign fibroids, which followed the nerves. Fortunately, this did not affect the surgery, and he currently has monthly follow-up appointments. "He's not very stable when he walks, he falls easily, and even more so when he runs..." But the resilient Ho Cheung gets up strong every time he falls, continuing to chase in the marathon of life.

I'm no different from other kids

Although Ho Cheung was a bit shy in front of the camera, his active nature was hard to conceal behind it. Despite giving only brief "no," "not really," and "I don't know" answers during the interview, he immediately became incredibly excited when kicking a ball. When the interview team was exhausted, he kept saying, "Let's keep playing!" He also unconsciously kept posing, declaring that he would become a football king in the future! Looking at his smiling face, we realized that his childlike innocence had not been eroded by illness.

However, as a mother, she has to be extra vigilant. "Some children see something protruding from his back and might pat or even hit it. We have to watch him carefully when playing outside."

Supporting the long road to recovery

In addition to frequently going in and out of the hospital to care for Ho Cheung, Mrs. Mok also has to look after her young daughter. The life of "nursing the sick and raising the young" is already exhausting, and she still has to cope with expensive medical bills; just replacing one pair of "growing rods" costs $117,000. Mental and physical exhaustion is undoubtedly a true description of Mrs. Mo's life, leaving its mark on her weathered face.

Indeed, if you are willing to lend a helping hand, you can provide support to this lively and cheerful child, accompanying him on his long journey to recovery.