Kiki (16 Years old)
Imagine being told your two-year-old has a rare spinal cord cancer. That's the news Kiki's parents had to face.
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The surgery to remove the tumors was a blend of hope and fear. When Kiki came out of the operating theatre, she was a completely different child - paralyzed from the chest down. It wasn't just her legs; she lost control of her bowels and bladder too.
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But Kiki's fight was far from over. She had to undergo brutal chemotherapy treatment and every day brought new challenges: muscle wasting that made Kiki's body seem to shrink and pressure sores that could turn life-threatening in the blink of an eye.
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Through it all, Kiki stayed positive. Her parents spoke of her resilience as they described nights spent by her hospital bed and the constant worry that comes with facing such a terrible disease.
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But they also shared moments of joy - Kiki's laughter during physio sessions and bonds formed from family outings. It was clear that while cancer had changed their lives forever, it hadn't broken their family apart.
Home Visit - Kiki
​How Kiki sees herself
Kiki sees herself as a very determined person. "When I set my mind to something, I stay committed and don't give up," she says. Kiki is always actively pursuing her passions, like joining singing classes to improve her skills and learn new songs.
Kiki in Her Mom's Eyes
Kiki's mother described Kiki's struggles with self-care, but what stood out was the pride in her voice when she talked about Kiki's perseverance. Kiki's story of having to learn how to get dressed by herself was very moving. It wasn't a smooth journey and there were many failed attempts and many moments of frustration. While others might view this accomplishment as minor, it represents a significant milestone for Kiki in her journey towards becoming more independent
People Who Help Me
Kiki is very grateful for Lifewire, her mom, and many others who have been there for her. Kiki believes that without this support, she wouldn't have been able to make it this far.
Kiki’s Hobbies
Kiki is very passionate about music - singing, piano, harmonica, celesta - she does it all. Kiki also loves Cantonese pop music and she often listens to local hits together with her mom.
Kiki’s Dreams
Kiki hopes to travel to and visit many different countries in the future. She wants to remind us that despite the challenges she faces, she still has the same hopes and aspirations as many of us have.
​What assistance is needed the most?
Kiki shared her opinions about rare disease patients struggling with care and medical expenses. Despite facing similar challenges herself, she is committed to helping other people in similar situations as herself.