Help Kim Tienshen Breath

Kyla Biegun is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

I am seeking help for my 16 year old God Daughter – Kim Tienshen – who was born while I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. Her mother used to come into my office, gaze into my blue eyes and stroke my blond hair. When I finally worked up the nerve to ask why she was acting so strange, I learned that Filipinos believe a mother can transmit desired traits into their unborn child. I loved her mother. It turned into a big joke and my office mates would say, “Do not spend too much time with Kyla, or your husband will start to wonder.” No worries, Kim Tienshen was born with big brown eyes and beautiful thick Filipino hair. She did, however, get my big smile, huge laugh, and zest for life!

Last time I visited the Philippines she was 10 years old, and rather than shyly recede into the corner as so many Filipina women do in the presence of a Westerner, she jumped into my arms and exclaimed, “Auntie Kyla, I am so glad to be able to practice my English with you!” Her words flowed for an entire week, she asked so many questions about the world beyond her Island. I was glad to see that she had a deep and meaningful perspective on the world. Within days, she had me as guest in her school and was lovingly encouraging her classmates to practice their English too.

Kim Tienshen is now sick with COVID 19, which has exacerbated her underlying Rheumatic Heart Disease and Congestive Heart Failure. Her big laugh has turned into wheezes. Her ever flowing words now pause frequently as she struggles for air. I am glad to report that she has been discharged from the hospital. However, she requires an oxygen machine to breath and her already struggling family simply cannot afford one. Her family has never asked me for a single Peso in 17 years. Her mother reports shame and embarrassment at reaching out to me now. I resonate; I have never participated in a fund raiser before. I also have immense compassion; I can only imagine the pain of watching a once vibrant daughter struggle for breath and not being able to fix it.

I have been working as a Nurse Practitioner in a high need community in Boston throughout this pandemic. I have felt incredibly grateful to have had a real sense of purpose over the last 23 months. But I am overworked, under-compensated, and like many healthcare professionals – burnt out. I have witnessed and experienced immense trauma. This one, however, hits particularly hard. My beautiful and boisterous God Daughter is sick. I wish I could send Vaccines to my loved ones in the Philippines. It hurts my heart when American patients refuse them, knowing that what they are refusing could have saved Kim Tienshen and her family so much suffering. Americans take for granted how lucky we are; Rheumatic Heart Disease is rare thanks to modern medicine. And now, so many reject this science. Please remember how lucky we are, how fortunate you are. I wish I could help Kim Tienshen more, but at this point, the best thing I can do is help her family purchase a Portable Oxygen Machine. In turn, I ask for your help. Please donate. Please help Kim Tienshen breath. Please help bring her robust laugh back to life. Please help her meaningful words flow. Kim Tienshen has so much love to bring to this world.