Zheng Haoen (Robert), who was two-years-old on Dec. 6th has received needed surgery to repair his feet. We first met Zheng Haoen as a six-month-old at the FuShun orphanage that we visit each year. He appeared to have both clubbed feet and hands. Zheng Haoen was transferred to Shepherd's Field, the American run orphanage outside Beijing. Shepherd's Field, operated by the Philip Hayden Foundation, has performed more that 3000 surgerys on orphan children in China.
After examination in Beijing, it was determined that Zhen Haoen had a rare condition call Arthrogryposis. The condition causes the ligaments and tendons to stiffen and contract. An American surgeon went to Beijing this fall and performed corrective surgery on Zhen Haoen's feet. Hopefully he will be able to stand someday. He is receiving daily physical therapy and can lift his right arm and grasp small objects. He care givers say he is a very bright little boy and is always happy.
We will visit Zheng Haoen in the Spring of 2010 when we returned to China to visit Shepherd's Field and the children at the FuShun orphanage.
