“Hahn” By Kate Garchinsky

Hahn’s Story (2008)

Incredible as it may seem, for over eighteen years Hanh has been largely confined to her bed. But recently Hanh’s quality of life has received a huge boost…

Hanh’s father was a brick maker and used to deliver the bricks in a wooden cart. One day, whilst still only a girl of eighteen, Hanh was helping push the cart when a truck crashed into the back of her. All she can remember is waking in hospital and not feeling anything from her waist down. She tells of her disbelief – her sense of panic – when the doctor told her she would never recover.

Hanh is 36 now. For the past eighteen years her domain had basically been this simple wooden bed – as she watched the world, and in some respects her life, go drifting by. She had seen all of her ten brothers and sisters leave home while she still remained there with her very elderly parents, worrying about how she would support herself .

Now, in many ways, her life is only just beginning again. Hanh has become the proud owner of a three-wheel motorbike that has been specially adapted to meet her medical needs. When Hanh was told of some English Lifestart supporters’ plans to provide her with a motorbike her eyes shone with a mixture of tears and joy. “But that will mean I can visit my friends!”, she cried in disbelief.

For in Vietnam, the disabled do not seem to expect anything. Hanh had never once dreamed she would be able to ride around freely on a motorbike. “They cost millions of dong….”, she whispered reverently. Not only can she visit her friends, she can take them with her! With a girlfriend perched on the back, Hanh has been venturing further and further afield – even the 30km to Danang! “This bike has given me back my life!” she proclaims.

Whilst gaining independence with mobility is a high priority, of equal importance is to ultimately help this group of disabled people become financially independent. Lifestart has now given Hanh this opportunity. Prior to getting her new motorbike, Hanh spent day after day lying in bed crocheting woolen scarves to pass the time. She did this perched on her back as it was too difficult and painful to remain sitting for any length of time. Each scarf takes Hanh about two days to complete but she now has a small stream of income from their sales.

In 2008 Hanh has joined the disabled womens workshop where, after four weeks of training, she is now producing meticulous mosaic cards as well as her crochet scarves – not to mention the benefits she gains from the social contact.