Nong Kai is a Karen who came to live with her aunt in Nonthaburi Province. Her aunt came to work as a housekeeper. Nong Kai’s parents passed away, so she was taken care of by her aunt.

At first, when she came to Thailand, she did not know that she had a heart disease. She had symptoms of fatigue and a fast heartbeat, so her employer took her to get checked at Kasemrad Hospital, Rattanathibet. The doctor listened to her heart sound and found abnormalities. He recommended that she go for further check-ups at the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health. The doctor said that she had a heart septal defect and needed surgery.

Nong Kai underwent surgery with assistance from the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Foundation. She had the surgery at Kasemrad Hospital, Prachachuen, on June 25, 2012.

The aunt said that she was very happy that her niece had the surgery without any expenses. She wanted to have a life like other children.