2008 Memory Portraits

Nguyen’s Story (2008)

Meet Nguyen – a young woman who is an inspiration to anyone fortunate enough to have met her.

Nguyen was born with a heart condition, commonly referred to as a “hole in the heart”. In a Western country, this would be detected and remedied at an early age. Tragically for Nguyen, living in Vietnam meant that this condition was not diagnosed until recently. She needs a complete heart and lung transplant which is now too late to undertake. At 21 years old, Nguyen is living on borrowed time – hopefully extending into years. Nguyen is a gifted student and, having completed Year12, she dreamt of being able to continue studying and attending university. She now suffers from constant fatigue, nausea, and dizziness, and weighs a mere 34 kilos. Yet despite her physical suffering, she is rarely without a smile. She is a ray of light…pleasant, cheerful, and very funny.

Until recently she had been working at an internet shop, 12 hours a day/7 days a week, earning the equivalent of about $10 per week. Most of this money was being spent on medication with very little left for food. Lifestart is now providing her with sufficient money to quit this life-draining job and use her remaining time doing what she chooses. And, being Nguyen, she chose to help with the Lifestart disabled women’s workshop.

It was quickly apparent that she had the skills and drive to assume the role of supervisor – a job she now relishes. The other women in the group look to this youngest member for guidance as she sets the highest standards of quality control. She has jumped at the opportunity to learn English and she now receives five lessons of one-to-one tuition per week. Her teacher refers to her as a little “sponge” – such is her thirst for learning. A donated laptop from Australia now facilitates her learning and she is undertaking a computer course to further her skills.

Lifestart is ensuring that in the time Nguyen has left she is given every opportunity to flourish …Nguyen is not letting us down.

Lieu’s Story (2008)

Anyone lucky enough to have met Lieu will have been struck by two indelible aspects of her nature. Despite a frail body she has a fierce determination to remain independent –but that trait comes with the most generous of personalities.

Born into a poor family she contracted polio at the height of the American War when just ten years old. Her father died about this time but, despite the chaotic state of the country, her mother managed to rig up a brace for her leg and give her the opportunity of education, however disrupted that may have been.

She struggled to school by either clinging to her mother’s back, hobbling along using a stick or, on some days, just crawling on her hands – but she was determined to have that education. Despite constant bullying because of her affliction, Lieu’s resilience carried her as far as Year 9 – but there her schooling stopped, as the senior school was too far from her home.

Always a gifted sewer, Lieu taught in a disabled group in Danang ten years ago – traveling there by public bus. At about this time Lieu was given a wheelchair which made life a bit easier but, three years ago, it was the acquisition of a three-wheel motorbike which really changed her life. Had this been available when she was younger Lieu is sure she could have held down a job.

Recognizing her sewing talents, Lifestart paid for Lieu to learn how to make handbags and she now produces a range of these from home. At the women’s workshop she is part of the mosaic card group and injects a steady stream of humor into the production line – whether it be in Vietnamese or passable English!

If things keep going the right way for Lieu, it’s possible that she may indeed be granted her wish of renting a small souvenir shop in Hoi An and selling her homemade bags, wallets, baby hats and cards.

Le’s Story (2008)

Le has cerebral palsy. She was able to attend school to Grade 2. She is currently training to be a silk embroiderer. Her goal is to continue to learn and make arts/ crafts. Le lives with her parents in Hoi An. Without any form of transport she has much difficulty getting around.

Tam’s Story (2008)

Being born with cerebral palsy is not an excuse 39-year old Tam uses when she is unable to achieve everything she would like. “I was not willing to accept my disability when I saw others with more severe disabilities. I want to push myself and do as well as possible.” she says.

At the age of eight she watched other children going off to school and started practicing writing with her one semi-functioning hand. Soon she was insisting on being given a chance at education – and her mother began carrying her on her back daily to school. Tam enjoyed school despite her writing difficulties and, with the support of helpful teachers, she took her education right through to Year 12 when her mother could no longer carry her. Even now, despite her verbal communication difficulties, her impressive grasp of English is evident in the language classes Lifestart runs two evenings a week.

After completing school Tam’s mother ferried her around by bike before her family managed to borrow sufficient money to purchase a wheelchair six years ago. This made a significant difference but it was the acquisition of an electric three-wheel bike a year ago which has completely changed her life. She could now really go places.

Having always enjoyed craftwork Tam jumped at the opportunity to work in an embroidery shop where she produces dragonflies and boats. Then on Mondays and Tuesdays she slots into the craft workshop where she forms part of the mosaic card making group. She loves the social contact of these days and relishes the opportunity to learn new skills. Tam’s lack of physical strength does not diminish her ability to plan for the future. Her goal is to eventually run her own craft shop – then she could repay the support her 84 year old mother has given her over her life.

Chau’s Story (2008)

Chau contracted polio when she was 3 and also broke her hip when she was 9. She lives with her family; her husband, 3 year old daughter, 1 younger brother and 2 younger sisters. She works 7 days/week as a tailor repairing clothes in a small rented space in the Hoi An market. She has a push-pedal bicycle for transport Chau’s parents fish at night to earn extra money for the family, however, Chau struggles to support the entire family with her income.

Phuc’s Story (2008)

Phuc contracted polio when she was 5. She was able to attend school to Grade 4. She is currently training to be a silk embroiderer. Her goal is to continue to learn and make arts/ crafts. Phuc lives with her family in Hoi An. Without any form of transport she has much difficulty getting around.

Tram’s Story (2008)

Tram has cerebral palsy. She is currently training to be a silk embroiderer. Her goal is to continue to learn and make arts/ crafts.

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.

Nghe’s Story (2008)

Almost without fail the first arrival at the craft workshop is Nghe. When asked why she generally rolls up to the workroom at least fifteen minutes before production starts – no matter what the weather – she answers simply: “I’m afraid of being late and missing out on some time with the group”. The benefits of the camaraderie Nghe and her group members have developed at least equal any financial rewards their efforts may produce.

Born into a poor farming family, Nghe contracted polio at the age of five and from that age began walking with her hands. When she was ten she attempted to go to school but, despite her enthusiasm, the distance was too far to traverse using this only means of movement she had. Not daunted she learned to read and write a little at home. By eighteen she was managing to help her mother by shuffling short distances around her house using a crutch. At 23 Nghe finally had medical treatment, but six months of hospitalization produced little improvement in her condition.

The failed operation may have caused some to give up – but not Nghe. She opened a small stall but with her disability found that she was unable to compete with more able-bodied stallholders. Next she tried to find paid work. “I was willing to do anything”, she says, but she failed to get regular work and could not continue with these endeavours. So now she lives with her father and youngest brother’s family and sees her involvement with the craft workshop as a way to ease the financial pressures her living there creates.

Like so many, her lifeline is the three-wheel motorbike provided by Lifestart. Initially her only means of movement was by squatting and propelling her feet by her hands. The immensely tiring effort of doing this had rendered her virtually housebound. Later on, a three wheeled mechanical, push-pull bike gave her greater mobility. Now with her new bike she says she can go anywhere and do the things she needs to and wants to. For instance, last year for eight months she was able to study embroidery in a shop. This valuable experience is evident when one watches Nghe’s meticulous skills on display as she joins Luong and Hoa in making embroidery cards.

Hoa’s Story (2008)

Hoa was three years old when she contracted polio so severely that she could not walk or even stand upright. Her body appears to crumple from the waist down so she moves around by placing her hands under her feet then slowly and painfully moving each foot.

Hoa’s parents were very poor but they desperately wanted an education for her. A few family friends came to their house and taught Hoa how to read and write. However, she was too scared to venture far from home because people would stare at her and make her feel sad and uncomfortable. So, until recently, Hoa’s life has been extremely difficult. Mobility has been a huge challenge – as has just about everything that goes with being poor and disabled in Vietnam.

However Lifestart’s ability to provide her with a wheelchair – her first at age 36 – has made a real difference to Hoa’s life. Hoa had been used to sitting upright and unsupported. When she received the wheelchair it meant that she was able to relax in the seat as it had a reclining back. What a relief it must have been to instantly access mobility and comfort!

Three years ago Hoa decided to have a baby. This was not a whimsical, romantic idea but rather a well planned and well thought out decision. Hoa looked long and hard at her life and, with her aged parents struggling healthwise, her biggest worry was who would look after her in the future.

Although Hoa nearly lost her life giving birth to little Thinh, she describes her toddler as the light of her life and the one that gives her endless joy and happiness.

Hoa had stayed at home all of her life – she had never been lucky enough to have a job as no one would employ her. Lifestart supporters from Melbourne very generously offered to help Hoa and Thinh. What Hoa needed was not a short term fix but rather an opportunity that would provide her with a sustainable income for her and Thinh’s future. After much discussion with Hoa it was decided that she would open a small business that would operate from the front of her house. After intense planning the shop opened and has been a successful little business.

Hoa looks to the future with a whole lot more optimism now. With her home business in full swing, her participation in the women’s workshop where she is an integral part of the embroided card team, and a beautiful little daughter………..life is full!.