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December 24, 2010

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Respite for 3-year-old housewife

A PARALYZED single father in Shandong Province's Huangjia Town is to receive free medical treatment, after the story of how his three-year-old daughter was nursing him touched the hearts of the nation.

Pictures of little Dong Xinyi have appeared in many online posts, wearing a kerchief and an innocent smile, like other children her age.

But unlike the average three-year-old, she has become an Internet star who has won the respect, tears and compliments of hundreds of thousands of Chinese netizens, who have nicknamed her "Tough Girl."

Brutal reality darkened the childhood of Dong Xinyi when her father was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident only five months after she was born; then her mother divorced him and left the family.

However, the little girl was undaunted and took on the responsibility of nursing her father, Dong Jianshe, 23, by herself, cooking instant noodles, fetching water and cleaning rooms - tasks unimaginable for a child her age.

Despite such pressures, the little girl seemed to be living a happy life. She laughed at TV cartoons and loved playing outside with her best friends.

She was also elated when cleaning the house, waving a broom cut in half to fit her tiny frame, or lifting up a basin which seemed as big as herself for her father to wash his face.

And whenever her father called for her help, Dong Xinyi would immediately turn off the TV, even if her favorite cartoon was showing, or leave her friends.

Now after all the hardships the little girl has endured, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.

The township government has offered medical treatment for her father and promised to cover all medical expenses.

The father has been transferred to Huangjia Town Central Hospital this week, accompanied by his daughter.

"I'm so touched to see so many people offering their helping hands. I will survive for the sake of my daughter," said Dong Jianshe.

According to a doctor at the hospital, although it was impossible to cure Dong's paralysis, medical staff would treat his bedsores and build up his confidence.

Meanwhile, the government of Leling City is also planning to raise money for the little girl's education.

An official said they hoped they could get enough money to support Dong Xinyi to finish elementary school.


 

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