Disfigured girl finds new lease on life
By Xu Chi |
July 19, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FRIENDSHIP knows no borders and no age limits.
Bruce Delaney, a 50-year-old American teacher, and his 15-year-old student Chen Chao, who was left severely disfigured by a sulfuric acid attack two years ago, have become good friends since they met in October.
The attack left much of Chen's face and body covered with scars. Her eyes, nose and mouth are fused together as two holes.
"Doctors will help me to see the world again," said Chen. "I'm happy here to make so many friends."
While Chen is optimistic now about her future, there was a long period where she was timid and unsociable.
Her relationship with Delaney has helped her gain confidence.
Delaney dropped by to see Chen yesterday at Shanghai Ren'Ai Hospital to teach her some more English and deliver a quilt, which was made by his 75-year-old mother Connie.
Chen and Delaney met at a wine auction party in October. The party was held to raise funds for the girl, who still needs further surgery.
Chen, who can now only see a beam of light, was too timid to speak to all the visitors at the party, but she expressed her only dreams - to see the world and to learn English.
Delaney promised he would teach her to speak English.
And for the past nine months he has visited Chen about twice a month at the hospital, teaching her simple conversations with an assistant interpreting for them.
"She loves to learn the new language and communicate with foreign people," Delaney told Shanghai Daily.
The American said he was happy to see Chen recovering emotionally from the attack.
"Of course, she still has a long road in front of her in terms of a medical recovery, but I'm happy to see her getting out of the dark past," he said.
He also introduced Chen to his mother, and they too became good friends who often talk with each other by telephone.
Connie Delaney even stitched the girl's name in Chinese characters on the quilt.
Bruce Delaney, a 50-year-old American teacher, and his 15-year-old student Chen Chao, who was left severely disfigured by a sulfuric acid attack two years ago, have become good friends since they met in October.
The attack left much of Chen's face and body covered with scars. Her eyes, nose and mouth are fused together as two holes.
"Doctors will help me to see the world again," said Chen. "I'm happy here to make so many friends."
While Chen is optimistic now about her future, there was a long period where she was timid and unsociable.
Her relationship with Delaney has helped her gain confidence.
Delaney dropped by to see Chen yesterday at Shanghai Ren'Ai Hospital to teach her some more English and deliver a quilt, which was made by his 75-year-old mother Connie.
Chen and Delaney met at a wine auction party in October. The party was held to raise funds for the girl, who still needs further surgery.
Chen, who can now only see a beam of light, was too timid to speak to all the visitors at the party, but she expressed her only dreams - to see the world and to learn English.
Delaney promised he would teach her to speak English.
And for the past nine months he has visited Chen about twice a month at the hospital, teaching her simple conversations with an assistant interpreting for them.
"She loves to learn the new language and communicate with foreign people," Delaney told Shanghai Daily.
The American said he was happy to see Chen recovering emotionally from the attack.
"Of course, she still has a long road in front of her in terms of a medical recovery, but I'm happy to see her getting out of the dark past," he said.
He also introduced Chen to his mother, and they too became good friends who often talk with each other by telephone.
Connie Delaney even stitched the girl's name in Chinese characters on the quilt.
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