Chhinhuy is a five-year-old boy and the oldest of three children from Cambodia. His mother stays at home to care for the children, while his father works as a technician in a camera shop in Phnom Penh. Chhinhuy is currently in kindergarten and enjoys studying Chinese and English. He dreams of becoming a police officer when he grows up. At home, he loves eating apples and enjoys playing with his siblings.
Chhinhuy was born with Erb’s palsy, a complication of a difficult delivery. The condition causes weakness of the arm and limited function in his hand. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. His mother is concerned about this condition and how it might affect his right hand as he grows older, especially with everyday tasks like writing and feeding himself.
Chhinhuy traveled to our medical partner’s care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On February 12th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will have improved function of his arm and hand. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure.
Chhinhuy’s mother shared, “I hope that he can use his hand more easily and not have difficulty as he gets older.”

