We came across this really sweet and inspiring picture, and we just had to share it with you!
The picture shows participants at The Straits Times Run in Singapore, but you can’t take your eyes off “piggyback sisters” Melody and Merrily Tan. In one of the most heartwarming scenes of the year, 10-year-old Melody is seen happily giving a piggyback ride to her 5-year-old sister, Merrily.
Singapore’s piggyback sisters
According to The Straits Times, 30 minutes into the 5 km run, Merrily told her sister that she was tired, and needed to be carried. The family is used to these frequent requests to be carried though.
Little Merrily who weighs around 17 kg, has apparently been weakened by a rare condition called Henoch- Schonlein purpura, that causes small blood vessels to become swollen and irritated.
Her mum Joycelyn Pang has been quoted by the Straits Times as saying, “She’s sick every month… She’s got weak lungs and so she cannot exert herself too much.” The family eventually completed the run in 55 minutes.
This brave mum has not let her daughter’s condition turn into a setback. The family has participated in 8 running events so far, including the Pokemon Run in January and the Cold Storage Kids Run in May. She even has plans to sign the kids up for 15 more events this year!
She tells The Straits Times, “I want them to share a common interest. In future, I hope they will continue to go for runs together, and when I am older, they will take me along for runs too.
“They look forward to it, especially getting the medal at the end.”
Wasn’t that an inspiring story to start your day? This picture is all about sibling love; about happiness and positivity, that with a little bit of support, we can weather life’s many challenges.
Meanwhile, here’s more information about the Henoch- Schonlein purpura condition.
Henoch- Schonlein purpura
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a disease involving inflammation of small blood vessels. The inflammation causes blood vessels in the skin, intestines, kidneys, and joints to start leaking. The main symptom of this illness is a rash with numerous small bruises, which have a raised appearance, over the legs or buttocks.
Signs and Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of HSP include:
- purpura, a raised, reddish purple rash
- joint pain and swelling
- stomach pain
- blood in the urine (pee) or other kidney problems
- fever
- headache
Also READ: Our Kawasaki disease scare
(Source: The Straits Times, KidsHealth, WebMD)
