"Supporting the Challenges of Rare Disease Patients" A Special Entrance and Graduation Ceremony Held at the Hospital

Gangnam Severance Hospital 'Hoking Event' Held After 4 Years
Recovering Daily Life and Challenging Studies Through Respiratory Rehabilitation

On the 16th, the 'Hawking Event' was held at Gangnam Severance Hospital.
[Photo by Gangnam Severance Hospital]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A special entrance and graduation ceremony was held to celebrate rare disease patients who, despite suffering from severe disabilities that make even breathing difficult, challenged their studies with indomitable will and achieved university admission and graduation.

On the 16th, the Respiratory Rehabilitation Center at Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital held the event "Korea's Hawkings, Congratulations!" in the hospital auditorium, celebrating 7 new students about to enter university and 2 graduates who overcame quadriplegia and respiratory disorders. This event, now in its 9th year, was held for the first time in four years since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event was attended by over 80 people, including students and their families preparing for graduation and admission, seniors continuing their studies at university through respiratory rehabilitation treatment, and Song Young-gu, director of Gangnam Severance Hospital. During the event, the Korean Respiratory Assistive Device Service Association also awarded scholarships to the students preparing for graduation and admission.

Kim Min-seok (19), who is entering the Department of Business, Commerce, and Welfare at Korea National University of Transportation this year, said in his congratulatory remarks, "Patients here, including myself, have to put in more effort than others to continue our studies. I want to congratulate the patients who are about to enter university and graduate through tremendous effort." He added, "I am nervous and worried about entering university, but I will continue to work hard as I have so far." Following this, Min Kyung-hyun (33), who is expected to graduate from Yonsei University Graduate School, had his mother express gratitude and encouragement as a representative of the guardians, saying, "Thanks to respiratory rehabilitation treatment, my child was able to complete graduate school," and "I respect all of you who overcome your diseases and continue your studies."

Patients suffering from rare neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and spinal muscular atrophy experience gradual muscle degeneration leading to paralysis of limb muscles. Over time, even respiratory muscles weaken. Most of these patients require activity assistance and ventilator support. Not only studying but even daily life is difficult.

Respiratory rehabilitation, first introduced domestically by Gangnam Severance Hospital in 2000, is a treatment that has completely transformed the lives of these rare disease patients. Respiratory rehabilitation enables even patients in severe conditions who must use ventilators daily to pursue studies and social life. While respiratory rehabilitation cannot cure the rare diseases themselves, it alleviates symptoms and helps patients live confidently as members of society.

Gang Seong-woong, director of the Respiratory Rehabilitation Center and professor of rehabilitation medicine, emphasized, "Because it is more difficult to overcome rare and intractable diseases, greater social interest and policy support are needed. Even patients with respiratory paralysis who cannot survive without ventilators can dramatically improve their quality of life through appropriate medical management and personalized respiratory rehabilitation treatment tailored to their individual characteristics."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.