The 'dioxin love' fairy tale of two veteran's children

(Baonghean.vn) - The children of two soldiers from the same hometown, in the same unit during the war against American imperialism, both suffering from the effects of Agent Orange dioxin from their fathers, found each other through love, writing a fairy tale.

Family of Mr. and Mrs. Phan Thi Yen. Photo: Xuan Hoa

In Hamlet 3, Hung Chinh Commune (Vinh City), it is not difficult to find the house of Phan Thi Yen (born in 1979) and her husband, because on their wedding day, both of them were infected with dioxin, many people here shed tears. Partly because they were happy for the happiness of the two children of two war veterans, and partly because they felt sorry for the couple who both had physical disabilities.

When we met Ms. Phan Thi Yen, she confided that she had a difficult time due to her cleft palate. She said: She has been disabled since birth, with a cleft palate, and her brain development is slower than that of her peers. Her family took her to the doctor and found out that she was infected with dioxin from her father, Mr. Phan Dinh Minh, who returned from the war against the US in the southern battlefield.

Because of her love for her, the family also sold unripe rice to bring her for treatment and surgery, so her illness gradually improved. However, due to her slow mental development, she could not do much. In the neighboring commune, Mr. Minh's former comrade, Mr. Ngo Xuan Thuy, was in a similar situation, and life was even more difficult. Mr. Thuy had two children infected with dioxin from their father. Sharing his friend's difficulties, Mr. Minh visited his friend every week, sometimes with a few bowls of rice, sometimes with a bunch of vegetables. Every time he visited his comrade, Mr. Minh always brought his daughter Phan Thi Yen along.

Every time like that, Ms. Yen often played with Mr. Thuy's eldest son, Mr. Ngo Xuan Binh (born in 1976). Also due to Agent Orange - dioxin, Mr. Binh's legs were atrophied, his back was crooked and he had difficulty speaking. Mr. Binh and Ms. Yen grew up and became close friends.

In addition to making silk flowers, Ms. Yen also repairs clothes every day to earn extra income to support her family. Photo: Xuan Hoa

“I was disabled but he was much more severely disabled. His family also had a younger brother who was also infected with dioxin and had a mental disability, so life was very difficult. So when I grew up, I said I wanted to marry him, which surprised everyone. But everyone understood, we loved each other,” Yen recalled.

In 2004, a small wedding was arranged by the family and relatives for the disabled couple. The image of the radiant bride in a white wedding dress, pushing the cramped groom in a wheelchair to the wedding hall to introduce him to everyone, made everyone present and witnessing it shed tears. There will probably never be a wedding where so many people shed tears. Congratulations to the couple who are now living under the same roof.

After getting married, Yen and her husband faced many difficulties when she applied for many jobs but were not accepted, and Binh was often sick. It took her a long time to get a job as an employee at a fresh flower production facility in Vinh City. The kind-hearted boss sometimes gave her a few extra coins to take care of her disabled husband. It was not much, but it was enough to live on. Out of sympathy for the couple, both sides of the couple's family also donated money to build a level 4 house for them to live in separately.

Happiness came to Yen and her husband when in 2005, Yen gave birth to a healthy, chubby baby boy, Ngo Xuan Hoan. A healthy baby gave strength to both of them.

In 2012, to create jobs for the disabled, the Women's Union of Hung Chinh Commune helped Ms. Yen attend a free silk flower making course. With diligence, effort to learn, and a little bit of dexterity, she created beautiful products that were praised by many people. Moreover, she is also a support for those who are not fortunate enough to have disabilities to find a job and learn a trade.

However, in recent years, due to changing market demands, silk flowers are no longer popular, and the production team of disabled women is no longer active. Only Ms. Yen is still sticking with the profession. She imports raw materials herself and makes flowers to sell to customers.

According to Ms. Yen, although she can still sell flowers, the cost of raw materials is high, so each flower basket made does not bring much profit. Therefore, she continues to learn sewing. “This job is quite suitable for my ability and my situation. “If you eat smart, you will be full, if you dress smart, you will be warm” you have to be flexible to steer the family” - Ms. Yen said.

Baby Ngo Xuan Hoan takes care of his father. Photo: Xuan Hoa

With a sewing machine, she repairs clothes for people in the area every day, earning 50,000 - 60,000 VND per day. That small amount of money also helps her cover her daily expenses and pay for her children's education. Ms. Yen confided: "Repairing clothes is considered a side job, but if you work hard, you can still earn some money. Other people have many choices, but for me, I have to stick to such jobs to make a living."

That woman always believes that although she has a physical disability, she must not be "disabled in her profession". She must live and work, not only to support her family but also to be recognized by society and everyone. "If normal people try one, I have to try ten times harder. My happiness is very simple, that is, seeing my husband and children happy every day, and my family happy", Ms. Yen shared.

Now, the couple's greatest happiness is their son Hoan, who was born healthy, intelligent and is currently in 5th grade. Seeing a healthy child makes everyone happy and it is a happy ending for the love story of people who carry within them the pain of war called dioxin.

Xuan Hoa