Boun Lod continues to do well.
In September, she started going to kindergarten three days a week. Boun Lod loves kindergarten, and her mother says she doesn’t want to go home at the end of the day.
Naturally, one of the best things about kindergarten is playing with the other kids. Boun Lod has two best friends, Gemma and Cindy, who help her with things like putting on her shoes and socks (tough to do without arms and hands!).
By September, Boun Lod’s father had been away from his job for almost a year, and he had to return home to Lao. While Boun Lod and Noi miss him, they’ve now had enough experience with the system to get by on their own.
This Halloween was Boun Lod’s first real experience with all the ghosts and goblins and, by all accounts, she enjoyed every minute of it. Unlike some of her friends who dressed as fairies or princesses, Boun Lod went as the Tasmanian Devil, which does seem fitting somehow.
Boun Lod has also been going to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia two or three times a week to learn how to use her prosthetic arms. Apparently she’s getting quite good with them, and can pick up small objects, use a pencil and paper, and so on.
Mickey Mouse visited the hospital one day, and the kid’s were given tickets to “Disney on Ice”. While I don’t think Boun Lod has developed a liking for cold, ice, or snow, she was entranced by the show.
Boun Lod with Mickey Mouse.
All of this activity has been good for Boun Lod’s English. She understands a lot of what’s said, and isn’t shy about saying a few words.
Boun Lod’s mother’s English is also really improving. Noi understands and speaks well enough to get by in most day-to-day situations.
On November 20, Boun Lod was back in Cincinnati for surgery on her neck, mouth, and eye. The skin graft for her neck was taken from her leg. For the next three months, Boun Lod will have to wear a stiff collar to keep her neck stretched so it will heal properly.
Boun Lod and Noi after the November Surgery
By March, Boun Lod should be all healed up from this latest surgery, and the doctors feel it would be a good time for her to return home for a break.
Probably in the summer of 2011, Boun Lod will return to Cincinnati for another 12 to 18 months of further surgery and treatment.
Boun Lod needs a good education if she is to have a fighting chance for a decent future, and she’ll be the right age to start school when she gets back to Lao. Because of her handicap, however, Boun Lod will not be allowed to go to a public school. Fortunately, our liaison in Vientiane has found a good private school that will accept her. We will use some of the money remaining in the Boun Lod fund to help send her there.
The Boun Lod Fund 
January 7, 2010 at 12:49 pm |
Hi! My girls and I read this story in the Fort Macleod Gazette. My girls,7 & 4 , are wanting to know what happened to Buon Lod. Was she a baby when she got hurt? Who helped her from the fire? How did she end up in US of she’s from another paart of the world. How can we help her? Can we write to her?
I’ll check back here for the answers to these questions. Thanks!
January 7, 2010 at 5:41 pm |
I’ll contact you directly. Gord