Thai TV showcases touching story of hope about Thai/German boy with cancer who won a gold medal at a Maths Olympiad

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Thai TV showcases touching story of hope about Thai/German boy with cancer who won a gold medal at a Maths Olympiad

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

BANGKOK: -- Thai Rath TV featured a touching story about a Thai/German boy at school in Bangkok who has won a gold medal at an international maths event even though he is suffering from stage three cancer.

 

Stefan Quint has Hodgkin's lymphoma that is also known as Hodgkin's disease. But despite the boy's difficulties and continuing treatment he has an incredibly positive outlook.

 

For all intents and purposes he looks like any other teenager.

 

His father is German born Hermann "Somchai" Quint whose online profile says he has lived in Thailand for 24 years. He was given the nickname "Somchai" as no one could sais name when he first made Thailand his home. He is a goodwill ambassador for Global Diplomatic Corp and is an expert in the field of IT.

 

But on TV yesterday the focus was very much on his remarkable son known to all his friends as Stef.

 

The Thonburi based young man won gold at the recently held 3rd Singapore Singapore Maths Olympiad Challenge 2017. He was one of many successful Thai students but was certainly the one that everyone wanted to speak to.

 

The presenter on Thai Rath TV introduced the show by saying this was a "happy story and a sad story - no, it is just a happy story".

 

Stef and his mother then told her how he was diagnosed with cancer after he felt a problem in his chest and shoulder after knocking into a milk bottle.

 

Mum said that after his condition was diagnosed she tried to keep it from her son.

 

But later he found out. On the show he gently admonished her for keeping the truth from him saying he should have been told all along so he could face the challenge.

 

Mum Sumalee spoke calmly about her son's condition and the support that the family are giving him so that he can not only overcome the illness but fulfil all his hopes and dreams.

 

Dad Hermann who can speak Thai well chipped in with his observations about the challenges facing the family saying that he intends to support his son in everything he does.

 

Stef was diagnosed as he was about to enter M1 (year 8 in the British system) and has had treatment at Sirirat Hospital including chemotherapy.

 

The chirpy youngster shrugged off the side effects of treatment saying that it had been no problem for him at all.

 

He smiled and spoke excellent polite Thai through all of the interview as a stream of touching and positive comments were shown from viewers nationwide onscreen.

 

His teacher Thaworn at Jindamanee School spoke of how they were supporting Stef in all his endeavors and really treating him just like any pupil at the school.

 

They were all immensely proud of him not just for his gold medal in Singapore but for many other awards he has attained. Thaworn said he was an inspiration and an example to others.

 

Finally the parents and Stef were asked if a positive attitude could help cancer sufferers.

 

Stef's well-spoken mum was in no doubt that this aspect of her son's personaliity was helping him enormously in his brave fight against the disease.

 

A beaming Stef said he had loved maths since he was in the kindergarten. But as far as his disease goes he had the last word:

 

"I have cancer - but I just have to smile", he said.

 

Source: Thai Rath

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-07-27

 

[james.d]

I accidentally landed on this channel last night and watched it till the end following the dialogue as much as i could.. A very bright and brave young man surrounded by a loving family.

A well presented programme, well done.

 

 

[soalbundy]

What a disgusting disease that has to strike children

[biplanebluey]

I was sitting here with tears in my eyes at the thought of what this lovely happy young kid had contracted and what the possible outcome may be but when looking at him on the screen all I could see was a fantastic personality full of fun. What a great young boy---- he should be an example to all of us---- especially when we start to moan at some insignificant thing that has taken hold of us and is going to slightly inconvenience us for a short time.!!! You are a good role model for all of us. I adopted that attitude some yrs ago when having a lot of personal difficulties and my health was suffering (although not as bad as the dreaded cancer) but with a change of lifestyle and mindset things soon started to change and I am now a very happy person Physically,mentally and medically,so all I can say Stef is keep it up fella and good luck to you,there are I,m sure a hell of a lot of people behind you to cheer you on.

[sawadee1947]

tough little fellow. Great zest for life even it will be short. Brave boy.

[Thingamabob]

All the best young man to you and your family. 

[somchaiq]

I would like to quote Stefan her: "It is not a dream that I will become a Doctor for cancer sick kids, this is my decision."

 

He has the full support of everybody in our family.

[biplanebluey]

Can I just ask one question that someone out there may know the answer----------- in the television show this lad had a good head of hair. They also said that he had to have kimo,and in the last 2 pics on here it shows him completely bald poor devil. Has he been able to stop that treatment? I also thought that the Khemo treatment killed the hair roots so making it impossible for hair to ever grow again,but seems I got that one wrong. I'm happy for him about that

Edited July 28, 2017 by biplanebluey
wrong spelling