During our trip to Camillian Home, we visited the art room which was like a blank canvas covered in the vivid colors and children’s paintings. At the corner, we noticed one young girl who was smiling happily as she watched the other students do their artwork. Her name is Fahsai, and she is currently 13 years old. She has been living with the condition cerebral palsy for her entire life which leads to other health complications as well. 

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Even though her disability physically restricts her from moving around and walking, she is an optimistic and bright child. Since being helped by one of the fathers who brought her to Camillian Home from an orphanage in Pattaya, she has been receiving love and care from the caretakers and her friends here. One of the most important figures to her would be Nurse ____, a regular nurse at the clinic. Fahsai aspires to be a gentle nurse just like her because she wants to help other people the same way she has received help and treatment. 

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Throughout our talk with her, she told us about a great dream she had with a huge smile spread across her face. She shared that last night, she was finally able to walk. In the vast field of grass, she was able to feel the soil under her feet and the breeze brushing past her skin as she ran through the field. That is also why she said she likes the color of green as it gives her the sense of tranquility and freedom.

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With her many aspirations and dreams, it is clear that her wheelchair and her condition does not define who she is, nor do they limit her capabilities. At Camillian Home, Fahsai’s condition is relatively better than that of the majority as she is able to learn and speak with others. She is also the great leader of the secthirdond floor here at the Camillian Home, where her responsibilities include taking care of the other children of that floor. She also told us of her adventurous side when she decided to travel to a near-by convenience store by herself on her birthday. The father who took care of her gave her a 100 baht note and helped her get on the ____. She came back with snacks in both arms, and shared with all her friends at the center. 

Our team members were inspired by her gentleness, intelligence, and how despite her differences, she lives her life filled with beauty and joy. Because of that, she is one of the many children miniME will be working towards in order to empower them. We will also be making a customized doll of her which will be donated along with our goal of a 30,000 baht donation (raised from selling products made by our team and Camillian Home children).

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Fahsai is also one of several disabled children in the world who likes to hold onto a toy or a plushie during the day and when going to sleep. As toys are an important part of a child’s life, representation and diversity among the options are crucial. To grow up only playing with toys that have perfect body proportions or ones that do not even look like you at all, how can you tell that child to love themselves when they can not even see themselves represented in the things closest to them? 

 

Thus, please support our cause to increase diversity in the representation among toys. By purchasing our bags or plushies, all funds will be going towards Camillian Home to cover the medical expenses needed for all of the 8_ kids there.