As a new mom, Maria cannot predict how many obstacles her newborn baby will encounter. From premature birth, hydrocephalus, hare-lips, deformed fingers and toes, to Mediterranean anemia, the doctors have already given up on treating the baby. Baby 傑博 grew up with these conditions; however, none of these conditions will take away the most precious gift, love, given by his mom. 傑博’s mom, Maria, has utilized all her energy and efforts to protect him. Because of love, Tzu Chi volunteers in the Philippines bring hope to傑博 by taking him to Taiwan to receive professional help from the medical team and loving support from the volunteers.

A Bay Without Hope

As a premature baby, 傑博 came to this world during the 8^th month of his mom’s pregnancy. When Maria first saw her baby, tears fell down her cheeks. She was not upset about her baby’s deformed face and body, instead, she was sad about the sufferings her baby would encounter. When Maria sent her baby to a local hospital right after birth, the doctors told her, “This baby will not live.” Maria could not believe what she heard, but she also did not have money to stay in the hospital. Therefore, she went home right away.

Because the house had low ceiling, and Philippines had high temperature, Maria used a blanket to wrap up傑博. 傑博 did not like to move that much, so Maria always checked on傑博’s heartbeat to make sure that he was still alive. Maria thought that since that doctor was not God, so how could he know that傑博 would not live? “He is my baby, he is so special to me, and I need to give him all my love,” said Maria, reflecting her thought at that moment.

Love Opens the Door to Overseas Medical Treatmen

傑博’s parents did not make a lot of money. After傑博was born, it was hard to raise him and his three brothers and sisters. 傑博’s parents and siblings all loved him very much. Even if there was only one bite of food left, they would give it to傑博. Even though this family seemed to be suffering so much at that time, and even though the doctor said the baby would not live, 傑博’s parents would not give up any hope. Therefore, when Tzu Chi volunteers appeared, they brought a light of hope to傑博 and his family.

In order to treat傑博’s illnesses, it took them 8 hours by car to arrive at Manila Children’s Hospital. At the hospital, the love between the mom and the baby touched Tzu Chi volunteer’s hearts. The volunteers, who visited the Children’s Hospital periodically, found out that the傑博’s surgery would not happen until much later. However, the baby could not wait that long, so the volunteers immediately contacted Taiwan for assistance.

When the news arrived from Taiwan that they would be able to help傑博, Maria was overwhelmed with joy and continued to kiss傑博. She kept on saying “baby, baby…” It was a touching scene. Indeed, no matter what the baby is like, he or she is always the most precious baby in the eyes of the mom. It was love that opened the door to overseas medical treatment.

On March 25, the medical team in Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital welcomed the little bodhisattva, 傑博, from the Philippines. The days of joy, tears, and infinite gratefulness would begin on that day. On the day of arrival, Vice President of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chien Shou Hsin, went to the airport to pick up 傑博, his mom, and Tzu Chi volunteers from the Philippines. After a day of rest, a series of diagnosis was conducted on March 26. The most urgent condition that傑博 faced was hydrocephalus. This condition had to be treated right away in order to allow normal development of the brain and the bones. In addition, the problems with傑博’s face and eyes (his eyes could not close) needed to be taken care of in order for傑博 to recover rapidly. Of course, the medical team in Dalin was already prepared to treat傑博.

You Are My Cutest Baby

Because the operation to be performed on傑博 involved the expertise of doctors from various departments, the operation was scheduled for 6:40am on March 29. Maria had witnessed the loving care from Tzu Chi volunteers and the medical team, as well as the immediate diagnostic result, so she had complete faith on the medical team. However, when Maria saw the sufferings baby傑博 had to endure, she could not sleep. The moment before the beginning of a new life seemed long! After baby傑博 was sent into the surgery room, Maria, under the company of the volunteers, prayed for傑博 in front of the Buddha.

The operation began by Doctor Ho Shun Jueh of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department. He was glad to find out that there was no excessive water in傑博’s ears after he cleaned傑博’s ears. Then, Doctor Chen Jin Cheng of the Neurology Department took over the operation. Because 傑博’s 前囪門未閉合, so the drainage of cerebro-spinal fluid had to be performed on the parietal lobe. After determining the exact location, the detailed-oriented Dr. Chen successfully completed his part of the operation using the new drainage system.

The last part of the operation was performed by Doctor Chien Shou Hsin, Vice President of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital. There was a big crack, between the chin and the nose, on 傑博’s face. Besides fixing the problem of inability to close his eyes, Dr. Chien also transplanted the skin from 傑博’s body to his face. 傑博’s face was then beautifully sculpted. The bones on his mouth and head could finally develop like a normal child, so 傑博 would look like any other kid on the street.

When 傑博 was sent to the recovery room, Dr. Chien immediately called for Maria. Maria’s face was full of tears, and they were tears of gratefulness. The tears no longer symbolized sadness or worry. Although 傑博’s face was wrapped by bandage, under Dr. Chien’s detailed description, Maria could picture 傑博’s face in her head. Maria said, “傑博 is the cutest son.” As Maria hugged 傑博, 傑博 cried out loud, as if he was telling everyone, “Everything is ok now!”

Hope Brings Joy to Life

5 days after the surgery, Dr. Chien took off of the bandage from 傑博’s face. Everyone shouted out, “You’re so cute…what a cute boy!” Everyone complimented the relentless efforts by the medical team. It was a miracle that a deformed face suddenly became normal. Maria’s eyes were filled with tears, and everyone knew that they were tears of joy. Maria said that when 傑博 was getting ready to go to Taiwan, his siblings cried so much. However, she told her kids that when 傑博 returned home, he would look the same as all of them, so there was no need to be sad. Indeed, the relentless efforts by the medical team confirmed Maria’s faith.

Maria’s eyes reflect her joy and contentment. The anxiety shown on her face when she first arrived in Dalin was gone. Maria prayed that 傑博 could be a good person. It did not matter what kind of career傑博 would choose after he grew up. However, Maria only wished for 傑博 to become a good person and help those in need.

Everyone showed their care toward 傑博 and his mom by giving 傑博 all sorts of toys. The wife of the superintendent of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Mrs. Lin, also brought 傑博 a new blanket with cute cartoon patterns on it, hoping to bring 傑博 sweet dreams.

Philippines volunteer, Mei Ling, said, “They had to wait at the Philippines Children’s Hospital for five months, but here in Taiwan, the operation was completed on the 5^th day.” She was always the one who could comfort baby 傑博. Mei Ling and her son, Li Zhen, accompanied 傑博 and Maria from the Philippines to Taiwan. Li Zhen always followed his mom to do volunteer work in the Philippines. This time, Li Zhen served as 傑博’s big brother to take care of 傑博. It is also noteworthy to mention that on the night of the operation, Mei Ling stayed up to look after 傑博 and Maria after they both fell asleep!

Mei Shou, the nurse who took care of 傑博, was 傑博’s favorite big sister. Actually, at the beginning when Mei Shou saw the information of 傑博 on paper, she was quite surprised. After she witnessed the loving care from 傑博’s mom, she was even more determined to help them. “傑博 loves to snuggle with me, he always wants me to hug him when he hears my voice. He will always put his head on my shoulder, and we will put our heads together. That feeling is so great!” In order to communicate with傑博, Mei Shou learned Filipino. When Mei Shou entered傑博’s room, she would always say “gu mu shi ta” (how are you), and when she changed his diaper, she would compliment him by saying “ba yi” or “ge lin” (good or great). And, whenever Mei Shou held傑博, no one could take him away from her!

All Living Beings Are Equal

“When you return to the Philippines, remember to spread this seed of great love to the children. Always remind yourself and dedicate yourself to helping others.” Maria was so touched by what she had experienced in Tzu Chi. She was surprised by all the unselfish love she received from everyone. However, to the Tzu Chi volunteers, the love that Maria gave to her child was equally surprising and touching.

The day before the surgery, Mei Ling tried to alleviate Maria’s nervousness. She told Maria that傑博 would become a very handsome boy after the surgery. However, Maria said, “If we look at him from the side, he is still very handsome.” The love from Maria to傑博 was indeed very touching. It is true that if we look at the chipped cup from another angle, the cup is still perfectly round!

「Maria remembered the loving care from people in the hospital, “The doctors from each department explained in detail how they will help傑博, so I feel very relieved.” When 傑博 was sent into the surgery room, tears fell down her cheeks. However, they were tears of joy, because her wish finally came true. Maria said, “Tzu Chi volunteers make us feel that all living beings are equal.” Although Maria was not from a rich family, Tzu Chi volunteers still treated them equally. Maria said that after they returned home, she would instill the spirit of great love to all of her children.

During the time at Dalin Tzu chi Hospital, Maria sent email with pictures of 傑博 to her husband, Jose, and their children. In the email, she expressed her gratitude toward Tzu Chi volunteers, and that she had faith in the future. As long as there was love, Maria believed that they could overcome all the difficulties and utilize their lives to the fullest extent. Below is a summary of the email:

Dear Jose,

Everyone is so nice to us, and they are all so loving. I hope that we can educate our children on how to love others. We need to change our bad habits and forgive others’ mistakes. We need to maintain a kind heart. We should not be arrogant. If we have the ability, we should help others. Also, we need to help our four children receive the best education possible. We need to help each other in this life, and I believe that there is hope!

Note: 傑博 has returned home on April 21^st. He will return to Taiwan 6 months later for a follow-up treatment.