Erin Marlin, Interplast volunteer PACU nurse.
Six months ago there was a joyous day. Chau was born to a mother and father in a town called Tan Kieu in Vietnam. Unfortunately Chau was born with a cleft lip. When the father saw his son for the very first time, the day became very dark and grey for him. Not being pleased with what he believed a perfect baby should look like, the father took the situation into his own hands. Following the advice of his own mother, he kicked his wife, Thi Diem, out of the house and left her with a son to care for all on her own. Being a single mother at the age of 25 was not easy, and therefore, almost impossible. So Thi Diem's mother, Chau's grandmother, helped care for her daughter and the newest member of their family. On March 21 the Nguyen family (baby, mother, and grandmother) rode a bus for 2 1/2 hours to attend Interplast’s clinic in hopes for a new beginning. After 48 hours of waiting at the hospital, Chau finally had his cleft lip repaired. Watching this beautiful little boy recover in the PACU was a very joyous moment for me. However, the true highlight of today was seeing the look of pride and joy on his mother's face when she saw him for the first time. Chau was, and always will be, a beautiful baby. Six months ago, there was a very dark day. Today however, is a very good day—a day that marks a new beginning.
Six months ago there was a joyous day. Chau was born to a mother and father in a town called Tan Kieu in Vietnam. Unfortunately Chau was born with a cleft lip. When the father saw his son for the very first time, the day became very dark and grey for him. Not being pleased with what he believed a perfect baby should look like, the father took the situation into his own hands. Following the advice of his own mother, he kicked his wife, Thi Diem, out of the house and left her with a son to care for all on her own. Being a single mother at the age of 25 was not easy, and therefore, almost impossible. So Thi Diem's mother, Chau's grandmother, helped care for her daughter and the newest member of their family. On March 21 the Nguyen family (baby, mother, and grandmother) rode a bus for 2 1/2 hours to attend Interplast’s clinic in hopes for a new beginning. After 48 hours of waiting at the hospital, Chau finally had his cleft lip repaired. Watching this beautiful little boy recover in the PACU was a very joyous moment for me. However, the true highlight of today was seeing the look of pride and joy on his mother's face when she saw him for the first time. Chau was, and always will be, a beautiful baby. Six months ago, there was a very dark day. Today however, is a very good day—a day that marks a new beginning.
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