JUNE 26
Yesterday Naw Gay was admitted to Suan Dok hospital, the best hospital in northern Thailand. The doctors and nurses in the burn ward were exceptional. Both professional and friendly. The doctor said Naw Gay needs better nutrition and still has issues with infection, so it could be two weeks or more before she’s strong enough for surgery. There are 7 teams of doctors that will care for her, plastic, eye, nutrition, rehab, pain, ENT and psychiatry. We met several of them and they were all very kind to Naw Gay. The psychiatrist asked Naw Gay how she felt, she said Thailand is peaceful and she doesn’t have any worries and there is everything she needs. The psychiatrist asked if she has nightmares, she said she can’t have nightmares because she can’t sleep! Naw Gay is surprisingly lively and can laugh. Her only concern was about not being able to sleep because she cannot close her eyes. The eye doctor was also concerned about her eyes, her left eye especially has some issues with scarring. She said she would apply a special cream and patches to block light so she can sleep and to protect them. Today, Naw Gay said she was able to sleep well last night for the first time. Her eyes will be the first thing addressed when she is ready for surgery. The pain doctor asked about her level of pain, she said it's 5 out of 10. She has constant pain where her arm was amputated, on her shoulder and her head. These are the areas burnt the worst by the firebomb. We were there from 8 till 5 admitting her but it was worth every minute and we finally feel peace about where she’s getting cared for.
When I met Naw Gay the first time I felt a strong commitment to be her friend and help any way I could. I have seen that same commitment in everyone that meets her. Naw Gay is special and her character shines through the wounds. Yes, she is wounded beyond belief, but Naw Gay is more than her body. Yesterday as I was pushing her around the busy halls of the hospital I thought that even though her flesh is burned, her spirit is strong and her internal organs are healthy. Things could be worse. There is always something to be thankful for. God is her strength and ours too.
Please keep Naw Gay in your prayers, she has a lot more ahead.
With thanks,
Matt Blauer
Matt is an independent film maker (Frontline Hospital) and friend of Earth Mission. He and his wife Tanita are currently living in Chiang Mai, and are playing a lead role in coordinating Naw Gay’s treatment plan. Yesterday they took her to Suan Dok hospital in Chiang Mai and wrote up their visit.
JUNE 12 UPDATE FROM DR MITCH
Keep praying for Naw Gay, who suffered severe burns to her face, head, arms, and legs in a firebomb airstrike. Her care requires advanced reconstructive surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
We asked people to step into Naw Gay’s story with us. Within just 2 days, the estimated initial treatment costs of $50,000 were raised. In late June, she will be admitted to the top teaching hospital in Chiang Mai. They estimate that she will need multiple surgeries and extensive rehab over the course of a year. Their top priority will be on repairing her eyelids in order to preserve her vision. This will be followed by work on her mouth so she can begin eating again. After that, they’ll shift toward appearance and rehabilitation. Further funding for Naw Gay will go directly toward her long-term rehabilitation and ongoing care—often the hardest part to fund - we estimate an additional $50,000 will be needed. So, we invite you to continue giving to help us reach our final goal of $100,000 to cover Naw Gay's entire care. This next stage is just as vital.
Any funds received in excess of Naw Gay's short-term and long-term needs will be designated for other front line patient care.
You can follow Naw Gay's story here:
https://www.earth-mission.org/stories/en4g5wubfvvlzv418io1drajlzizk0
JUNE 8 UPDATE FROM DR MITCH: With deepest gratitude to all those who stepped into Naw Gay’s story with us and gave so generously. We have met the estimated cost ($50,000USD) of her initial treatment. Any funds beyond this will go directly toward her long term rehabilitation and ongoing care - often the hardest part to find.
So we invite you to continue giving. This next stage is just as vital.
JUNE 5 Here is Naw Gay’s story told by Dr Mitch Ryan from Earth Mission
Naw Gay is a 26-year-old community healthcare worker who served in the conflict zones of Burma. On March 8, she was hiding in a trench with two friends during an airstrike near active fighting in Northern Karen State. A firebomb struck their position. Her two friends were killed. Naw Gay survived—but with devastating injuries.
She suffered severe burns to her face, head, arms, and legs. It took five days—and the coordination of several organizations—to get her from the jungle to a hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Over the next ten weeks, she underwent multiple surgeries and skin grafts. Some of those grafts failed. She still cannot close her eyelids or her mouth which will have serious implications until addressed.. She still cannot eat on her own. The hospital in Chiang Mai has done all it can. Her care now requires advanced reconstructive surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
Recently, a team of plastic surgeons in Singapore reviewed her case. They are willing to take her on, and are working to minimize their own fees as much as possible. One of the doctors believes they can help her get clearance to enter Singapore on humanitarian grounds. But getting her there—and covering even the reduced costs—is still a significant challenge. The estimated cost is $50,000 USD. We are also pursuing secondary options here in Thailand, in case we’re unable to get her to Singapore.
Naw Gay is one of us—a healthcare worker injured while serving others in Burma. If someone asked me, “Who is your neighbor—the one you’re called to love as yourself?” I would have to include Naw Gay. She has walked our same path. Her need is undeniable. In seconds, her life was shattered by fire. Though she cannot speak because of the tracheostomy, her clear, quiet eyes—peering out from behind a thick mask of bandages—communicate well enough: “Help me live.” With a gentle nod, she agreed to let us share her story and the photos that accompany it.
We’ll be reaching out to everyone we can—friends, organizations, anyone who might help us stand with her in this struggle. How do you define a neighbor? If I’ve read Jesus right… when love demands a response—that’s when a true neighbor is born.
Luke 10:25-37 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live. ….
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers…”
