”Mama” is the sweetest word in the world. But it was not until this year that three-year-old little Min learned to say this word.  

From muteness to speech

Born with hearing impairment, Min was abandoned by her parents. She was taken to a welfare institution in a northeastern city of Guangdong and put under the care of Chunhui mamas. She needed a cochlear implant system which was cost prohibitive. But the Chunhui mamas were not daunted and reported her case to Chunhui Care Home.  

Min was hospitalized for her surgery. Her little face was swollen but she beamed a big smile to her Chunhui mama. 

Funded a loving supporter, Min arrived at Shanghai CCH in late October 2020. After receiving half a month’s nurturing care from her Chunhui mamas, Min finally had her much-needed surgery. Within 6 hours after the surgery, Min wasn’t allowed to take any food or water. She choked with sobs and kept pointing at her little mouth. Anxious as her Chunhui mama was, she had to follow the doctor’s instructions and wetted Min’s lips with a water-soaked cotton swab to relieve her thirst a little bit. Six hours later, mama helped Min have a little water and, finding that she didn’t feel nauseated, fed her with a little rice soup. Another two hours passed and Min finished a bowl of soup.   

When the doctor switched on Min’s cochlear implant system, she was terrified to hear the sound. 

Min finally put on her cochlear implant system and heard sound for the first time ever. She was so sensitive to music that when her Chunhui mamas sang to her, she was absorbed in the songs. Although it was a sign that she got off a good start, there would still be a long way to go before she develops hearing and speech skills.  

Chunhui Mamas will always stay beside Min all along her way to recovery

Therapist Yang trained Min how to make sounds

In 2021 summer, Min was welcomed at (Beijing) Chunhui Care Home. After a preliminary evaluation of Min, rehabilitation therapist Yang believed that the girl was capable of recovering her hearing but need receive professional rehabilitation training asap. As Chunhui Care Home had no budget for children with hearing challenges, the staff and mamas started to worry about her. Fortunately, Yang and her Rehabilitation Hospital（Affiliated to National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids）decided to provide free rehabilitation service for Min. This took a weight off the mind of all.

 An amazing transformation-Min headed into a new world filled with beautiful sounds

From 2021 summer, Yang started to work with Min regularly, and communicate with Min’s Chunhui mamas each week about how the girl was progressing and what additional exercises she need do outside of Yang’s rehabilitation sessions. The Chunhui mamas followed Yang’s instructions and helped Min practice listening and expressing as often as possible.  

Now, Min is the little star of Beijing CCH and brings joy to everyone every day.

Now, Min is keen on talking and, although she is unable to articulate the name of each animal she knows, she is trying very hard to communicate with mama.

“Now, Min is able to say "hello", "thank you", "bye-bye", "hug", "uncle"and "auntie". Each time I dress her, I talk to her so that she can learn and imitate more words. She was timid and withdrawn, but now she opens up a lot and says ‘hi’ to those she knows on our way home from school. She refused to share toys and mama’s love with other kids, but now she even helps take care of younger kids, often cleaning their hands or mouth with a towel. We are more than glad that she changes every day,” said one of her Chunhui mamas.

With the concerted efforts of Min’s two Chunhui mamas and therapist Yang, Min does much better in expressing herself this (2021) winter. A year has passed. Min has transformed from a tearful mute toddler into a cute, lively girl bursting with happiness and confidence.   

Min helps mama take care of younger kids.