2008 Memory Portraits

Luong’s Story (2008)

During the last year or so of the American War (as it is termed in Vietnam) Luong was a happy twelve-year old living with her family in a village thirty kilometres from Hoi An. Then one fateful day a bomb was dropped so close to her family home that it was instantly incinerated. Whilst the rest of her family scrambled out of the inferno relatively unscathed, Luong’s lower body took part of the blast and she lost both legs.

Though she had attended school until Year 3 and can thus read and write, this was the end of Luong’s education as she had no means by which to get to school. As is the Vietnamese way, particularly in times of adversity, Luong improvised. Over the past 34 years she has moved herself around using two small red plastic stools which she holds and places alternately on the ground in front of her as she moves her body along. These stools have become her legs.

Her manouverability is so amazing that she can even run a small shop from her home – selling essentials to support herself and her aging parents. Twice a week she somehow manages to catch the public bus from Hoi An to her home town. For the past two years she has had the benefit of a wheelchair but her life is about to change even more dramatically. Luong is about to receive a three-wheeled motorbike – courtesy of Lifestart. Those two plastic stools may still be required around her home but for any longer distances a whole new world is about to open for her.

Although her little business is an integral part of her life Luong has a broader aim. Extremely adept at craft skills she can see the potential of adding some craft lines to the household goods she presently sells. Consequently, she shuts her shop for two days a week and assumes her role as an integral member of the craft workshop as part of the embriodery card team. As the workshop banter continues around the group Luong assumes a generally quiet demeanour but occasionally she breaks into outrageous and contagious laughter as she shares a joke. With just a few breaks going her way now, Luong’s future is looking a little more assured, but first she must learn to ride the motorbike! Given the challenges she has faced and conquered this is one she is going to enjoy.

Hoa’s Story (2008)

Hoa contracted polio when she was just two years old. Her mother could not afford to pay for the expensive hospital treatment when the she was left iin dire circumstances by her husband abandoning the family. At first Hoa did not go to school but, when she saw her friends being educated, she wanted to join them. So her mother then began carrying her there on her back. She stayed in her birthplace of Duy Nghia for her schooling until Year 9 but then had to move to Hoi An to finish the final three years.

It was extremely difficult for her to travel to school let alone getting to the upstairs classroom. In Year 10 she virtually lived and slept on the school porch, buying her food at the nearby market. Luckily in Years 11 and 12 she was taken in by a kindly woman and she paid her board by doing housework and teaching her children. She passed her university entrance exam but was barred from attending because of her polio condition. Her real wish had been to become a teacher of disabled children, as she felt she could identify with them. She overcame this disappointment and began studying a computer and English course. After getting her certificate she worked for three years in a computer shop.

She married five years ago and gave birth to two daughters – now aged five and two. With Hoa’s health problems the births were very difficult but Thu and Thuong are now healthy, happy children. For the first year her husband had to do all of the childminding but, as they grow up, Hoa is able to take on her mothering duties. Although the girls’ mobility can be a challenge at times they are a delight to their parents. Hoa was donated a computer by Lifestart Foundation and runs a small computer business from home, as well as helping her husband with his shoe-making business. Lifestart has also recently bought her a three-wheeled motorbike and she can be regularly seen ferrying her daughters around. Her aim is to own a small shop selling stationary and related equipment.With her determination there is every possibility this dream will happen.

Trang’s Story (2008)

Lifestart first made contact with 25 year-old Trang after she was discovered living in a small room with three elderly dementia patients.. She has had polio since she was about four and it is very difficult for her to walk let alone climb stairs yet her accommodation was on the first floor of an old building. The only bathroom facilities afforded to her existed down a walkway some distance from her room, and were in a deplorable condition. Those few possessions Trang owned could be put in a plastic bag. For four years she had been existing in this traumatic environment with no one to turn to.

She had attended school to Year 9 and came to Hoi An when she was 18. This was the darkest time of Trang’s life. Her parents lived far away on an island and struggled to survive farming rice and mint. She had been forced to leave her family home because her family could no longer support her and her younger siblings. Being disabled, Trang was unable to find any work in the countryside and had no choice but to come by herself to Hoi An. She had no money, no job and nowhere to live and her confidence was at rock bottom – she felt very sick and very alone.

Despite being in almost constant pain with her back and her hard life Trang has always outwardly displayed a persona which is cheerful, bright and bubbly – she possesses the broadest of smiles! Recently though, Trang has been given a real reason to smile – becoming involved with the disabled workshop group has transformed her life! Trang no longer feels alone and “different” but loved, accepted and cherished. Her confidence is soaring and her English is improving as she now participates in the Lifestart ESL classes.

Lifestart has also moved her into much better accommodation. Trang now has a comfortable room to herself with a private bathroom and simple cooking facilities. She is surrounded by other lively, vibrant young Lifestart recipients who help keep her company. She cried that the day she moved into her new room was the “happiest day of my life”. Also a new three wheeled motorbike has made visiting friends and her family back on the island a reality.

Trang has a great love of, and talent with, silk embroidery – but unfortunately these items have a limited market so it has been important to work with Trang to help her use her skills in a way which will create a sustainable income. This is being achieved in the craft workshop where she is able to produce six perfect peace-dove silk cards per afternoon and revel in the friendship of the group.

Trang no longer spends her nights awake in fear – she sleeps soundly…

Nhat’S Story (2008)

Nhat grew up in the country-side, but has resided in Hoi An for the past 20 years. She has always been grateful to be surrounded by a good family life, which include her supportive fi ve sisters and one brother. Nhat contracted Polio at the age of one and has incredible difficulty in walking, but this does not get in the way of her ambitious nature. Nhat completed school until Year 12 and learned English by taking evening classes. Her goal is to one day become a business manager of a small shop. Life continues to look optimistic. Her recent surgery now allows her to walk slowly with braces.