The family of a child who was allegedly abused by a babysitter in Hong Kong has said they will soon run out of the money raised to pay for her treatments at a time when the severely brain damaged girl is finally making improvements after daily intensive therapies.
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The child, known affectionately as “Little Suet-yee” and now 2½ years old, came to the public’s attention after she was suspected of being abused in late January last year by a 33-year-old babysitter recruited under a government-funded “community nanny” childcare scheme.
Her mother, who only gave her surname as Tang, told the Post on Wednesday that Suet-yee was recovering gradually following intensive daily therapies, with acupuncture, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, cognitive training and hydrotherapy, among the more than 10 treatments she was receiving in both the public and private sectors.
“All doctors we met said she would need more intensive training,” Tang said. “We need to handle this while it is still the golden period, otherwise the recovery effect will not be that obvious if she receives the treatments when older.”
While professionals from at least nine types of specialities and rehabilitation services in the public sector were involved in the care, the frequency offered was not enough to meet the recovery needs, the mother said, adding the family was forced to seek extra sessions and treatments in the private sector.
The extra efforts appeared to be yielding positive results, as Suet-yee, who previously could not raise her right hand, could now move her fingers slightly and hold a dummy, Tang said.