Yuanzhao Deng (right), the younger brother, was preparing lunch. Yesterday, Yuanfeng Deng and her younger brother settled into a room rented with the help of netizens. Photo by reporter Wujiang.
Report by Wang Kala: Yuanfeng Deng, a 17-year-old girl from Anhui Province, suffers from neurofibromatosis. After her father's death last year, both she and her younger brother were forced to drop out of school. Due to the worsening of Yuanfeng's condition, the siblings pooled together 30,000 yuan to seek treatment at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing but were faced with an insurmountable obstacle - a 150,000 yuan surgery fee. A group of Anhui natives living in Beijing discovered Yuanfeng's plight and began appealing for donations online. Yesterday, these well-wishers found a "small home" for Yuanfeng, bringing an end to the siblings' "homeless" life spent in the hospital.
Reluctant to rent a quilt for 10 yuan per night
Yuanfeng said that at the age of four, she was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis accompanied by scoliosis. Due to the lack of financial resources, she never received proper treatment. After her father's passing, the siblings struggled even to make ends meet, let alone afford medical treatment. However, in June this year, Yuanfeng's condition worsened, resulting in numbness in her legs and difficulty walking.
With the support of her younger brother, the siblings traveled between various government departments and charitable organizations seeking assistance. Ultimately, the Yua'an District Government of Liu'an City in Anhui Province provided a 30,000 yuan relief fund, giving the siblings the confidence to come to Beijing for treatment.
On October 1st, the siblings arrived at the Union Medical College Hospital. Although they underwent examinations, the 150,000 yuan treatment fee became the biggest obstacle preventing Yuanfeng from receiving hospitalization and treatment. Reluctant to leave, Yuanfeng and her younger brother resided in the hospital outpatient hall, where a small reclining chair costing 10 yuan per night became their "home" in Beijing. They could not bring themselves to rent a quilt for 10 yuan, enduring the coldest days of early October in Beijing wearing thin clothes. "We must save every penny we can; there isn't enough money for treatment," said Yuanfeng.
Appeal for donations by fellow countrymen
During the day, the siblings visited various charitable organizations hoping for some assistance. "So far, there hasn't been any hope," said Yuanfeng. Her turning point in Beijing came on October 12th when she met Haiyan Zhang in the outpatient hall while the latter was visiting for treatment. Upon learning of her situation, Haiyan Zhang posted a plea for help on Anhui Anbei Network, calling on fellow Anhui natives to assist this unfortunate yet resilient girl. In her post, Haiyan Zhang expressed admiration for the mutual support and shared burden between the siblings, as well as their refusal to give up.
Yesterday, on Anbei Network, many Anhui natives donated money to Yuanfeng. Although the current amount is insufficient for her hospitalization, the siblings no longer feel alone. Yesterday, the well-wishers found a room near Tian Tong Yuan North Station on Line 5 for Yuanfeng and her younger brother, finally giving them a "home" in Beijing. Yuanfeng was delighted, saying she could finally have a good night's sleep.
Sitting in the small room where a bed takes up almost all the space, Yuanfeng smiled as she watched her younger brother busily washing dishes and clothes. Fellow countrymen also came to visit her.
Lijuan Cha, who works in Beijing, said that the power of fellow countrymen is limited, and the cost of treatment is too high. She hopes more people will help Yuanfeng, whose condition requires immediate hospitalization and surgery; otherwise, she may become paralyzed in her lower body or even face life-threatening consequences.
Narrative
"Believing that there will be a day when I see hope"
Yuanfeng said that when she was three or four years old, her mother left because the family was too poor, leaving her father as the sole reliance for the siblings. However, last December, her father passed away. "I was very scared, always secretly crying in my blanket. Without dad, everything is gone. What will happen to me and my younger brother?"
After their father's death, both siblings dropped out of school. Yuanfeng often thought that if she hadn't been sick, she could have worked outside to support her younger brother's education. The shy younger brother spoke even less. When asked about his father's death, he suddenly fell silent.
"I don't want to die. I believe I can be cured; the doctor also said there is hope," said Yuanfeng. Facing discrimination from some people since childhood, she has learned resilience within herself. "No matter how difficult the road ahead, I firmly believe there will be a day when I see hope," Yuanfeng said.