'KMJS' gives update on 'Aurora,' the 17yo girl suffering from compulsions to bite and chew, other mental health conditions

Last April, "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" shared the story of 'Aurora' a 17-year-old girl from Palawan, who has been relentlessly biting and chewing anything she gets her hands on, including clothes and other fabric, as well as their house's floors and walls.

Due to her compulsion to eat everything she touches, her family had to regretfully tie her up. She's wounded herself fighting against her restraints.

'Aurora' is the eldest of two children of Marialyn and her first husband Jy-Ar. 

According to the family, 'Aurora' was once a cheerful child, who soon turned quiet. They often catch her staring into space, and slowly noticed her lose herself.

A psychiatrist said 'Aurora' has three mental health conditions: a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning her capabilities do not match her age.

She also has disorganized behavior and disorganized speech, which falls under the schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

The Psychiatrist said she has a possible eating disorder called pica, or eating non-food items.

Help flowed in for Aurora after "KMJS" shared her story in April, allowing the family to use it for her treatments.

"Laking pasalamat ko po sa 'KMJS.' Sa lahat-lahat po Ma'am na sumusuporta sa amin at nagbibigay po," Marialyn said.

["I am extremely grateful to 'KMJS' and to everyone who supports us and gives help. I really appreciate it so much."]

How is 'Aurora' now?

After eight months, the teen who once weighed 16.5 kilos is now at 30 kilos.

'Aurora' is also now allowed out, a complete turnaround from her reality of being tied inside her room.

On "KMJS," she was also ready to reveal her face and her real name, which is Helen.

"Tuwing lumalakad po ako na katulad po pupunta ng tindahan o mamalengke, nakakasama ko na po siya, Ma'am, at nakikita ko po masaya po 'yung anak ko," Marialyn said.

["Every time I walk, like when I go to the store or go to the market, I'm able to take her with me and I can see that my child is happy."]

She tearfully added, "Hindi na po siya nakatali. Kahit saan po kami pumunta kasama po namin, tapos nakikita ko yung bonding namin pamilya samantalang hindi namin 'yon dati nagagawa."

["She is no longer tied up. Wherever we go, she is with us, and I can see our family bonding—something we weren't able to do before."]

And where before that her younger brother Ethan was the one tasked to take care of Helen, it is now his Ate Helen taking care of him.

Helen is also given the task to get water from a well, which is also physical exercise for her.

"Hindi po gaya dati na iniigiban ko pa po siya. Parang bumaliktad na nga po 'yung mundo," Ethan said. "Dati ako po 'yung nag-iigib sa kanya para makaligo. Ngayon po, siya po nag-iigib sa akin para makaligo."

["It wasn't like before when I had to fetch water for her. It's the other way around now. I used to be the one getting water so she could take a bath. Now, she is the one fetching water for me so I can bathe."]

Helen also no longer needs to be fed by Ethan, though he has taken on the role of being Helen's teacher.

"'Hindi pa po siya nakakapag-aral kahit kinder po," Ethan said. "Hindi niya pa po alam kung paano magsulat, paano magbasa, kung ano mga pangalan ng mga hugis, mga kulay, mga ganun po."

["She hasn't been able to go to school yet, not even kindergarten. She doesn't know how to write or read, or what the names of shapes and colors are."]

He added, "Gusto ko po makapag-aral po siya saan po siya. Kahit papano, hindi naman huli ang lahat pagdating sa pag-aaral."

["I want her to be able to study. I believe it's never too late to learn."]

Their home turned cheerful as Helen recovered. No longer damaged from her eating disorder, the family's house now stands strong with a brick wall and a thatched roof.

In a follow-up checkup, Helen's pediatrician said that while the girl has indeed showed signs of improvement, her recovery will take a little bit more time because she is severely malnourished.

The doctor remains hopeful that in the next year or even in a few months, Helen's weight and body will be normalized.

Meanwhile, Helen's psychometrician said that in two assessments, she no longer shows symptoms of being on the schizophrenia spectrum.

The pica disorder is also no longer seen in Helen, especially as her family focused on her physical health.

But her neurodevelopmental disorder, which includes intellectual disability and language impairment, is still there.

"Usually early intervention. Support galing sa pamilya and pag-establish ng maayos na routine para alam nila what to expect sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay," the psychometrician said.

["Usually, early intervention helps—support from the family and establishing a good routine so they know what to expect in their daily lives."]

"Maganda ring maturuan talaga sila ng iba't ibang life skills. Hindi lamang pag-alaga sa sarili, kundi 'yung mga bagay kung saan puwede silang kumita," they added.

["It would also be good to teach them various life skills—not just self-care, but also things that could help them earn a living."]

Marialyn expressed her gratitude to "KMJS" and to Rosanna Juarez, a midwife from the Rural Health Unit of Roxas who brought Helen's story to the program. 

Surprises for Helen

Rosanna paid a surprise visit to Helen and her family, bringing with her fruits and bread, which are Helen's favorites.

Marialyn said, "Noon nu'ng pumunta siya sa bahay, 'yung anak ko nakatali sa kuwarto. Tapos pini-picture-an nila, bini-video."

["Before, when they came to the house, my child was tied up in the room. They took pictures and videos of her."]

She added, "Tapos ngayon po, pangalawang balik niya po, 'yung anak ko ganyan na po Ma'am. Maganda na po 'yung kalagayan tapos natuwa po ako kasi 'yung anak ko maganda ang pagsalubong sa kanya. Hindi man po makapagsalita ang anak ko nakikita ko, nakilala niya si Ma'am Sanna."

["For their second visit, my child is doing so much better. I was happy because my child welcomed her warmly. Even though she cannot speak, I could tell that she recognized Ma'am Sanna."]

Grateful, Marialyn told Rosanna, "Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi po gagaling ang anak ko. Hindi po makarating sa 'KMJS.' Hindi po siya magiging ganito. Salamat po talaga."

["If it weren't for you, my child wouldn't have gotten better. She wouldn't have been seen on 'KMJS.' She wouldn't be like this. Thank you so much."]

She added, "Salamat po talaga ma'am sa inyo dahil naging bahagi kayo ng pangalawang buhay ng anak ko."

["Thank you so much, Ma'am, for being part of my child's second life."]

Marialyn and Helen were also brought to the ASMES Andres Soriano Memorial Elementary School, who gave clothes, vitamins, and food for Helen. More than that, Helen was enrolled in their Special Education program.

"Ginagarantiya namin na si Helen Joy ay ganap nang estudyante ng ASMES," Principal Concepcion Verdin said.

["We guarantee that Helen Joy is officially enrolled as a student of ASMES."]

"Habang siya po ay nag-aaral na dito sa aming paaralan, ay ire-recommend po namin siya na magkaroon ng assessment ng ating mga medical specialist para po sa mas maayos na intervention o ano pang recommendation ng ating medical specialists para po mapabilis ang pagkatuto ni Helen Joy dito sa aming paaralan," she added.

["While she is studying here at our school, we will recommend her for an assessment by medical specialists to ensure appropriate intervention and follow whatever recommendations they provide, so that Helen Joy's learning here at our school can progress faster."]

Marialyn cried, "Nagulat po ako, hindi ko po akalain na makakapag-aral na ang anak ko."

["I was surprised, I never expected that my child would be able to go to school."]

"Pangalawang buhay po ngayon ng anak ko. Kaya hindi ko po ma'am sasayangin 'yun. Gagawin po namin ang lahat ma'am hanggang sa maging mabuti po siya ma'am."

["This is my child's second life. That's why, Ma'am, I will not waste it. We will do everything, Ma'am, until she gets better."]

For those who wish to help Helen, you may send your donations to:

LANDBANK PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN
ACCOUNT NAME: MARIA LYN B. DIOCADES
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0466 4461 30

—Nika Roque/LA, GMA Integrated News