A 13-year-old boy in China has been diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis after being compelled to perform 1,000 squats as punishment at a holiday camp. His mother, Ms. Lu from Jining in Shandong Province, shared the troubling details of her son’s experience, which almost left him with permanent disabilities.
The incident took place at a holiday camp intended for children to socialize and engage in physical activities. Everything appeared normal until the last day, when parents received concerning photos of their son, who had red eyes and a distressed look. His father noticed that the boy's leg seemed limp, but camp staff insisted he was fine. It wasn't until they picked him up that they recognized the seriousness of the situation; their son was sitting on a stool and unable to stand.
When asked about his condition, the boy explained that a teacher had caught him chatting during a drill and punished him with 1,000 squats. After he managed to complete 200, he collapsed in pain, but the teacher kicked him and left him on the ground. He was only helped when parents began arriving for the closing ceremony.
The boy's father took him to Jiaxiang County People’s Hospital, where he was misdiagnosed with a minor muscle strain and given ointment. However, his pain continued, making it difficult for him to walk or sleep. His parents then took him to the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College, where he was properly diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis.
Rhabdomyolysis, often triggered by intense exercise, results in the rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle and can lead to serious damage to the liver and kidneys if not treated. This potentially life-threatening condition causes muscle fibers to release their contents into the bloodstream.
Due to the severity of his condition, the boy was placed in a wheelchair immediately. After 13 days of treatment, he was discharged but did not fully recover. Now 14, he struggles to lead a normal life and is unlikely to engage in rigorous physical activities again. His leg muscles have atrophied, and he has sustained damage to his liver and kidneys.
In response to the incident, Ms. Lu and her husband confronted the camp organizers about the mistreatment. Initially, the organizers denied any wrongdoing, but other children corroborated the boy's account. Eventually, a settlement was reached, and legal actions are still ongoing.
Credit:Pulse.
