Heart 4 Hope

By Yvonne Foong
Whenever people express admiration for me, I feel overrated because I am no more than your average neighbor.

Like many 20-year-olds, I wake up every morning to check for new e-mails, read the news, and do random chores before heading to college. I am now deaf, so waking up without the alarm clock is relied entirely upon constant training of the subconscious mind.

I am a student of Mass Communication at Life College, which may be small, but it is a warm, supportive community of students. College is my second home, where familiar faces greet me at every corner I enjoy the company of my college mates, but life can seem so normal, that nobody would have guessed that this seemingly carefree teenager has an extraordinary tale.

No matter how much I consider myself normal, there is no denial that I am a product of genetic mutation that make tumors grow in my brain, spine, and random nerves. No cure exists for Neurofibromatosis.

Since the diagnosis four years ago, I had undergone three major surgeries to remove tumors in my brain and spine. I was paralyzed from chest-down for an entire month, and intense physiotherapy was needed to retrain my mobility. The tumors have so far caused me bilateral deafness. I am also suffering from partial facial paralysis and random nerve damages along the spine. Whenever friends perform challenging physical activities, I silently wish to be like them.

You may wonder how I still have room to feel “normal”. The answer is simple. I was not born this way. Although NF is a genetic disorder, there were no symptoms until I was 13. Until then, I remained a healthy child who learned ballet, figure skating and karate. I used to play with my friends in school and together, we would cycle to tuition classes. I could perform stunts that I can only reminiscent today. I had just passed grade 5 with a highly commended when worsening balance forced me to quit ballet

I was only 13 when my childhood was invaded. The adults dismissed my claims. Deafness and poor balance did not concern others until they became bad enough to put me on a wheelchair three years later.

Three whole years of anguish and suppression, without a clue of what was happening to me. The realities of NF would have frightened unsuspecting patients, but for someone who had suffered in silence, the diagnosis occurred to me as a
Relieve because - finally, there came a reason to my sudden disabilities. Finally, light shone after all those years of looming darkness.

That was four years ago. I have since traveled far to be where I am today. NF may be terrible, but it is also my vehicle to self-actualization. Because of it, I found God’s purpose for me in life.

After sitting for the SPM examination, I enrolled myself into a music diploma. I loved singing and had always wanted to improve myself. I was a soprano in the school choir. However, a tumor was soon discovered inhibiting the remaining hearing nerve. The inevitable fact of impending bilateral deafness loomed and I had to drop another passion.

That year, a third surgery left me in confusion. What will become of me with this illness? What am I going to do for a living?

God heard my cries and those uncertainties soon eased. Few months later, a young lady visited my website and was greatly touched. She extended her words of encouragement through e-mail, and a wonderful friendship began.

Cordelia Lee was a 33-year-old lady who, having known me for barely a week, suggested that I write a book.

I am so young. Who would pay to read my story? It’s nothing to shout about,” I protested without missing a beat.

Since I had no serious commitment at that time, and since Cordy volunteered to help, I gave it a go knowing that I was not alone.

The book took two months of heartaches, tears, and tiring self-indulgence to complete. I had never before reflect on my past, let alone writing it into a book. It proved to be therapeutic, unleashing the years of hidden hurts and resentments, allowing myself to heal in every way.

I am thankful that God brought Cordy to me. Without her, I would not have written a book and eventually won the hearts of many people. It was a first-class ticket to a brighter future. I have since been offered to write for many newspapers and magazines. Since my first appearance in The Star newspaper, my story has reached the knowledge of many people who became regular visitors to my blog. I later won the 2005 AYA Dream Malaysia awards based on public votes, that came with a full scholarship from Life College.

We are now selling HEART4HOPE t-shirts to raise funds for another surgery. Since December 2005, we have managed to raise RM50,000 in six months by the selling and public donations. The required sum is USD58,600 which includes tumor removal and the Auditory Brainstem Implant to stimulate sound sensations.

Fundraising for better quality of life may be tiresome, but everything that follow are priceless. Albeit my poor health, I still hope that one day soon, I can positively change the world by the stroke of a pen.By Yvonne Foong
Whenever people express admiration for me, I feel overrated because I am no more than your average neighbor.

Like many 20-year-olds, I wake up every morning to check for new e-mails, read the news, and do random chores before heading to college. I am now deaf, so waking up without the alarm clock is relied entirely upon constant training of the subconscious mind.

I am a student of Mass Communication at Life College, which may be small, but it is a warm, supportive community of students. College is my second home, where familiar faces greet me at every corner I enjoy the company of my college mates, but life can seem so normal, that nobody would have guessed that this seemingly carefree teenager has an extraordinary tale.

No matter how much I consider myself normal, there is no denial that I am a product of genetic mutation that make tumors grow in my brain, spine, and random nerves. No cure exists for Neurofibromatosis.

Since the diagnosis four years ago, I had undergone three major surgeries to remove tumors in my brain and spine. I was paralyzed from chest-down for an entire month, and intense physiotherapy was needed to retrain my mobility. The tumors have so far caused me bilateral deafness. I am also suffering from partial facial paralysis and random nerve damages along the spine. Whenever friends perform challenging physical activities, I silently wish to be like them.

You may wonder how I still have room to feel “normal”. The answer is simple. I was not born this way. Although NF is a genetic disorder, there were no symptoms until I was 13. Until then, I remained a healthy child who learned ballet, figure skating and karate. I used to play with my friends in school and together, we would cycle to tuition classes. I could perform stunts that I can only reminiscent today. I had just passed grade 5 with a highly commended when worsening balance forced me to quit ballet

I was only 13 when my childhood was invaded. The adults dismissed my claims. Deafness and poor balance did not concern others until they became bad enough to put me on a wheelchair three years later.

Three whole years of anguish and suppression, without a clue of what was happening to me. The realities of NF would have frightened unsuspecting patients, but for someone who had suffered in silence, the diagnosis occurred to me as a

Relieve because - finally, there came a reason to my sudden disabilities. Finally, light shone after all those years of looming darkness. That was four years ago. I have since traveled far to be where I am today. NF may be terrible, but it is also my vehicle to self-actualization. Because of it, I found God’s purpose for me in life.

After sitting for the SPM examination, I enrolled myself into a music diploma. I loved singing and had always wanted to improve myself. I was a soprano in the school choir. However, a tumor was soon discovered inhibiting the remaining hearing nerve. The inevitable fact of impending bilateral deafness loomed and I had to drop another passion.

That year, a third surgery left me in confusion. What will become of me with this illness? What am I going to do for a living?

God heard my cries and those uncertainties soon eased. Few months later, a young lady visited my website and was greatly touched. She extended her words of encouragement through e-mail, and a wonderful friendship began.

Cordelia Lee was a 33-year-old lady who, having known me for barely a week, suggested that I write a book. I am so young. Who would pay to read my story? It’s nothing to shout about,” I protested without missing a beat. Since I had no serious commitment at that time, and since Cordy volunteered to help, I gave it a go knowing that I was not alone.

The book took two months of heartaches, tears, and tiring self-indulgence to complete. I had never before reflect on my past, let alone writing it into a book. It proved to be therapeutic, unleashing the years of hidden hurts and resentments, allowing myself to heal in every way.

I am thankful that God brought Cordy to me. Without her, I would not have written a book and eventually won the hearts of many people. It was a first-class ticket to a brighter future. I have since been offered to write for many newspapers and magazines. Since my first appearance in The Star newspaper, my story has reached the knowledge of many people who became regular visitors to my blog. I later won the 2005 AYA Dream Malaysia awards based on public votes, that came with a full scholarship from Life College.

We are now selling HEART4HOPE t-shirts to raise funds for another surgery. Since December 2005, we have managed to raise RM50,000 in six months by the selling and public donations. The required sum is USD58,600 which includes tumor removal and the Auditory Brainstem Implant to stimulate sound sensations.

Fundraising for better quality of life may be tiresome, but everything that follow are priceless. Albeit my poor health, I still hope that one day soon, I can positively change the world by the stroke of a pen.
www.yvonnefoong.com