By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-12-25 06:41:37 | Updated at 2024-12-25 18:47:22
12 hours ago
Two-year-old Nathan Chiu Sheung-lai is spending Christmas outside a Hong Kong hospital ward for the first time with his parents on Wednesday.
Chiu, who is diagnosed with the genetic disease CHARGE syndrome, has spent most of his life so far in the neonatal intensive care unit. He had his first surgery to unblock his nasal passages just 10 days after his birth.
Those with the disease are affected in many parts of the body, including the heart, nerves, genitals, eyes and ears.
Chiu, who had difficulty breathing, was reliant on a ventilator until he underwent a tracheotomy in March, allowing him to breathe independently and be discharged.
“We are very happy that he can spend Christmas at home this year and enjoy the festivities across the city,” said Chiu’s mother May Wong.
Chiu and his parents are among the participants of a Christmas party organised by Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay in Pok Fu Lam on Wednesday.
