"Thanks to respiratory rehabilitation, I was able to study while dreaming of the future in my daily life. Whenever I felt physical limitations while preparing for the teaching certification exam, I thought of those who believed in my potential and worked hard for me. Thanks to them, I was able to achieve my goal of standing at the podium."
At the "Congratulations, Korea's Hawkings" event held at Gangnam Severance Hospital in Dogok-dong, Seoul on the 25th, Lee Kang-hyo (22), who spoke as the graduate representative, confidently said, "I want to deliver a message to everyone here today: never lose hope, no matter what situation you face."
Lee was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at age three and has received treatment including respiratory rehabilitation at Gangnam Severance Hospital since 2010. SMA is a genetic disorder that causes symmetrical muscle weakness and atrophy due to degenerative changes in nerve cells controlling muscles. It occurs rarely, affecting one in every 6,000 to 24,000 births. Treatment is challenging as there are four subtypes of SMA related to deficiency of SMN protein required for motor neuron function. As SMA progresses, even the muscles responsible for breathing weaken, making it difficult to breathe. When patients become dependent on mechanical ventilators through tracheostomy, daily life becomes virtually impossible.
In Lee's case, although he has difficulty walking, he currently lives without a ventilator, thanks to respiratory rehabilitation and management from a relatively early stage. While continuing respiratory rehabilitation alongside his studies, he graduated this year from Gwangju National University of Education with a degree in computer education. He recently passed the final round of the elementary school teacher certification examination and awaits his official appointment.
The event was held to encourage patients like Lee who have overcome rare and incurable neuromuscular diseases while continuing their education. Now in its 12th year, the event honored one university freshman and four graduates who have overcome physical limitations including conditions like SMA where breathing independently is difficult or respiratory failure may develop. About 70 people attended, including Koo Sung-wook, President of Gangnam Severance Hospital; Lee Young-mok, Vice President for Medical Affairs; Choi Won-a, Director of the Respiratory Rehabilitation Center; Jung Woo-chul, Executive Director of the Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation; medical staff; patients and their families. Singer Jeon Ji-yoon, who serves as publicity ambassador for the Respiratory Rehabilitation Center, presented bouquets to the students. VitalAire Korea, a respiratory equipment company that signed a scholarship support agreement for respiratory rehabilitation patients, presented a scholarship certificate to the freshman to celebrate the new beginning.
Director Choi, who organized the event, said, "The medical staff also receives much comfort and strength from watching these determined individuals continue their hopes," adding, "The Respiratory Rehabilitation Center will continue to spare no effort in helping patients fulfill their dreams as members of society."
Since its establishment in 2009 as the first of its kind in Korea, the Respiratory Rehabilitation Center at Gangnam Severance Hospital has provided customized treatment and multidisciplinary care for patients with respiratory failure and rare incurable diseases. Starting international education programs in 2010 to build global respiratory rehabilitation infrastructure, the center has trained 57 medical professionals from 19 countries and continues to lead the field of respiratory rehabilitation both domestically and internationally.