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Honey bee publish details |
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| Name |
Xiaoyan |
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China |
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Profile |
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| Title |
Compassion, Creativity & Collaboration: The Story of a Shanzhai Breathing Apparatus |
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| Abstract |
Shanzhai literally means ‘mountain village’. Though of late, this has become very popular not just in China but worldwide for’underground’, ‘small scale’ or for many, the evidence of grassroots innovations and wisdom of common people (China Daily, 2009). This term was used sometimes to refer to the people involved in anti–social activities and those who were elusive of official control. In the recent years, this term has also been used to refer to duplicate or imitative technical gadgets, such as, 'Shanzhai cell phones'. But, the story of the Shanzhai Breathing Apparatus compels us to change the stereotypic perspective. Here is a real life story of how communal sympathy for a sick girl blew fresh life into her! |
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Xiaoyan’s father, on 7th November 2008, learned that she was unable to speak and was immediately admitted to hospital. She could not breathe by herself and needed a breathing apparatus. Doctors were not able to diagnose the cause quickly; hence she had to stay in the hospital for about one month which cost her father 90000 Yuan approximately. The doctor said that the cells of the lungs had become necrotic and could not function for breathing, hence continuing with the treatment in the hospital would only add to the medical bills. Her father is physically challenged and works as a teacher in the village school. He could not afford his daughter’s medical treatment within his limited means. He sold out many of their belongings. The family started living on a meagre meal of a bun only which they could buy for one Yuan. When the doctor broke the news to her family, her father fell on his knees and pleaded with him to keep her on the breathing machine till her family could come to see her one last time. Crying inconsolably, her mother recounted how the family had started arranging for her funeral. But again, destiny had its own way. On the way home, they used the pulsating sphere to keep her alive. They knew that this was not a solution, but the family had no resources left to continue her treatment any further. Helpless, her father went to consult the village doctor. But it was not of much help. Xiaoyan could breathe only with the help of the pulsating sphere which had to be pumped manually. The pressing and releasing had to be continuous so that she had a constant supply of oxygen. Neighbours were compassionate and came to the rescue of the girl. Each one took turns to pump the pulsating sphere, though it was not easy as the sphere was made up of thick rubber which was hard to press. Besides, it had to be pressed 18-20 times in a minute. So a person got tired in 10 minutes!
In the beginning, the pulsating sphere was connected directly to Xiayon’s trachea through incision; hence whenever the pulsating sphere was pressed to pump air into her lungs, she felt uncomfortable. Soon Xiaoyan’s uncle came up with a solution. He used the inlet pipe of the washing machine to lengthen the pipe linked to the pulsating sphere. For the sake of safety, he steamed the pipe for 45 minutes. Simultaneously, he prepared two other pipes to be used alternately.
Challenge to Community
Villagers were worried and started thinking of ways in which they could bring some relief to the indisposed girl. But pressing the pulsating sphere uninterruptedly seemed to be the only way to sustain Xiaoyan’s life. It was not an easy task. Then, three villagers named Ji Jun Hai, Meng Wen Hai and Ma Bao Shun came forward and offered to make an electric breathing apparatus for Xiaoyan. But again, several problems had to be addressed. The very basic problem was that what could be used to make this machine? Even if they succeeded, who would dare to use it? Not being technically qualified for such a task, all skepticism was creeping into their minds. Even if Xiaoyan would agree to use the machine because of the absence of any other alternative, they could not promise that it would be feasible. All villagers including Xiaoyan’s parents, were doubtful.
Design Evolves
None of them had even seen a breathing apparatus and didn’t know much about its functioning. After continuous discussion among themselves, they inferred that an electric motor and a pulsating sphere were essential for a breathing apparatus. But another problem was, how to link the two? At this moment, Meng Wen Hai incidentally hit upon the idea of using the pedal of a sewing machine. Thereafter, they drew up to make a prototype based purely upon their imagination. But again, the problem was that if they used the sewing machine to press the pulsating sphere, they had to place it on the ground as a result of which foul air would enter Xiaoyan’s body. They realized that it was dangerous and could cause infection.
On seeing this problem, the villagers thought that using a bicycle was a better option. As soon as they conceived this idea, they went into action at once. They disassembled a bicycle to make a support. Then, they thought, which electrical appliance was suitable to take the motor from? The three saw the washing machine as a solution. They dismantled it and took the electrical machine out. They arranged elastics to be used for conveyor belt. Several days passed. The villagers grew all the more curious about what the three were up to as even after one month there was no substantial outcome. This, at times, disturbed them but they did not give up. Instead, they decided to go ahead with their machine. Finally, they succeeded in making a breathing apparatus that they had imagined. The electrical motor drove the bicycle rim through the thong and the pipe through the chain. They used a power lever and an artificial limb to press and release the simple pulsating sphere mechanically.
Breathing Life Again
The crude breathing machine assembled by Ji Jun Hai, Meng Wen Hai and Ma Bao Shun started pumping life into Xiaoyan’s lungs! But all the villagers were doubtful about it including the three innovators and Xiaoyan’s parents. There were several concerns like whether the strange machine was safe to use. After all, the breathing apparatus was a sophisticated machine known for its precision. Again, they were not convinced that the task that required several professionals working together, could it be compensated for by a crude innovation of the villagers who had no technical education? Xiaoyan’s parents were worried because their daughter’s survival had become an ambiguity; but as the machine was right in front of them, and they didn’t have any other better option, they decided to take the chance. But Xiaoyan’s reaction was not very encouraging; she was scared to use it. Meng Wen Hai observed that and encouraged her to use the machine. When it was used for the first time, everyone followed her facial expressions very keenly. The grim faces turned into curves of smiles when it worked and could supply oxygen to Xiaoyan successfully.
System Responds
The word spread around that three villagers had saved a girl’s life by making a breathing apparatus. The news was also covered by Central China Television. People began contributing for Xiaoyan’s medical treatment. The civil hospital of Jin Shui district allocated a normal breathing apparatus from the hospital to Xiaoyan’s home. Feng Zhouqin, the Chief Physician of a local hospital of Henan province visited Xiaoyan’s family. He diagnosed her for acute myeloneuritis. On the afternoon of 14th February 2009, the general hospital of Jinshui district promised to cure her for free. After a month, Xiaoyan could breathe by herself without the breathing apparatus. Doctor Feng said that the Shanzhai Breathing Apparatus indeed served the purpose and played the most significant role in the whole ordeal.
The entire account stands for the villagers’ goodness, the sense of compassion and sympathy; the greatest emotions of human kind. Though medical science came to the rescue ultimately, but the zeal to help someone in pain apart from being sympathetic brought Xiaoyan back. Many sympathize but only a few go out of self-imposed boundaries to lend a hand to the needy. Though success is often not assured in such times, the effort is worth it to keep alive the spirit of compassion, creativity and collaboration (three watchwords of Honey Bee Network) that is diminishing in the world. |
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| Volume No. |
Honey Bee 20(2); 7-8, 2009 |
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Source: Adapted from http://v.blog.sohu.com/u/vw/2924238, downloaded on 1st September, 2009, contributed by Profs Liyan, Biyan and their team of CHIN volunteers. |
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