Despite all this she is still optimistic about life and it is no wonder she was awarded the Her World Young Woman Achiever of the Year 2008 on Tuesday.
“I want to thank my friends, because if not for them, I would not be here today,” she said after receiving her award from Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.
At 16, Foong’s doctors diagnosed her with neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumours to grow in her brain, spine and along her peripheral nerves.
The incurable illness has left her with semi-facial paralysis, deafness, partial blindness, poor balance, and a stiff right leg.
To raise funds for her surgeries at the House Ear Institute (HEI) in Los Angeles, United States, she sells custom-designed Heart4Hope T-shirts. Her next surgery will cost RM140,000.
Foong – a newspaper columnist, blogger (www.yvonnefoong.com) and the author of I’m Not Sick, Just A Bit Unwell – is studying for her Bachelor’s in Psychology at a college here.
The other woman honoured is Women’s Aids Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah, who received the Her World Woman of the Year 2008 award.
Josiah, 53, who was honoured for her prominent voice on women and human rights in Malaysia said that although she was pleased with the award, survivors of domestic violence deserved it more.
By LISA GOH Link
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