Summer brings to the world… summer vacation…
Lifewire’s group of rare disease friends are all starting their summer breaks one after another.
Lai Kwan-yi, who suffers from muscular dystrophy and muscle weakness, and who once couldn't even open a food container, was admitted to the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at @CUHK in 2024 with excellent DSE results. In the blink of an eye, she is already preparing for Year 3.
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Currently on her summer break, she has been enjoying her U life for the past two years, and has also fulfilled her wish of living in a dormitory. Her mother mentioned that since Kwan-yi has to move all her treatment equipment and daily necessities into the dorm, the preparation work that day was not simple.
Kwan-yi has adapted well to campus life, but keeping up with her academic progress has been quite strenuous; she has even had a fever from being too overwhelmed. She is currently most worried about having to study for an extra year, as the scholarship she received only covers four years of tuition fees. If she delays her graduation by a year, the additional tuition will increase the burden on her family.
However, her mother understands that health is more important and would rather she space out her studies and delay graduation: "It’s not good if she does well in her studies but her health declines. Let her proceed only when she can manage the load."
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No matter how busy she is, Kwan-yi has not put down her paintbrush, and she is currently writing a column for the writer Miha. When she is under pressure, she plays video games to relax.
Kwan-yi's mother is grateful for Lifewire's continued help in donating funds for rehabilitation equipment and treatments. For example, the standing wheelchair previously recommended by doctors was very expensive; fortunately, it was purchased through Lifewire donations, allowing Kwan-yi to exercise her lung function, relax her joints, and improve her health to keep up with her studies.
Every bit of your support, whether it is for tuition or purchasing rehabilitation equipment, is an important force for Kwan-yi and her family to keep moving forward.
Continue to support families with rare diseases and let them know that they are not fighting alone.
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