Foong, now 31, is stricken with a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis (NF) type 2, but she remains strong and is determined to live life to the fullest despite her physical disabilities.
She has undergone 20 neurosurgeries. “If I didn’t undergo them, I wouldn’t have been able to survive,” she said.
NF2 has rendered Foong completely deaf, blind in the left eye and partially blind in the right eye. Furthermore, the genetic condition makes tumours grow at random at any part of her body, and a spine surgery has damaged several nerves, affecting the use of her right leg.
“I cannot run and jump, but I can still walk,” she said cheerfully during an interview with FMT.
Foong led a normal childhood until symptoms of NF2 started appearing when she was 13.
“Initially, I was slowly losing my hearing and I started falling down for no reason.”
However, she didn’t seek medical help then as her family was going through turbulent times after her aunt was diagnosed with nose cancer.
“Mother was trying her best to take care of the house and she was too troubled to pay much attention to me,” she said. “After my aunt passed away, my condition became worse. I couldn’t walk at all. So I demanded that my mum take me to hospital. And there I was diagnosed with NF2 at the age of 16.”
Determined to put up a battle, Foong at 19 kick started a project to fund future surgeries in the United States. In 2006, she published a book titled I’m Not Sick, Just a Bit Unwell to raise funds.
“I wanted to preserve the quality of my life. Fund raising is difficult and challenging, but I still persisted and succeeded in funding my surgery in the US.”
She said she wouldn’t have her surgeries conducted locally because the treatment for NF2 wasn’t as holistic as in US hospitals.
“The mindset of local neurosurgeons is different. If they detect tumours, they extract all of it without caring about the long-term effects. On the other hand, my US surgeons would consider the long-term effects when planning to remove any tumour.”
Foong plans to set up a foundation in the US to provide financial aid and medical help to NF2 patients around the world.
“We will collaborate with the KECK School of Medicine at the University of Southern California,” she said.
“The foundation will provide subsidies of up to 65% to NF2 patients. Allowing them to pay part of the expenses makes them learn to be independent.”
Today, Foong is a motivational speaker to raise awareness and empower NF2 patients.