Le Viet Thuan: The journey of overcoming the tragedy of severe burns.
Having overcome a severe burn accident that left him with 70% of his health at just 5 months old, Le Viet Thuan not only graduated from university but also became an inspiration to the disabled community.
Mr. Le Viet Thuan, from Xuan Cam commune, Bac Ninh province, is a shining example of resilience in overcoming adversity. Despite facing a major setback at a young age that reduced his health by 70%, he has continuously strived to pursue his education and spread positive values to the community.
The journey of overcoming adversity
Born healthy, Thuan's life was changed by an unexpected accident at 5 months old. A tipped oil lamp caused a fire, resulting in severe burns. His family's initial attempts at treatment with folk remedies were unsuccessful, leading to tetanus infection that seriously affected his legs.
Fortunately, he received treatment at the Le Huu Trac National Burn Hospital, where he retained both his legs, but walking became extremely difficult, forcing him to rely on a wheelchair. For the next nine years, he was bedridden and underwent dozens of minor surgeries. Despite the pain and physical difficulties, his desire to go to school never faded. He shared: "My hands were so stiff I couldn't hold a pen, and sometimes I couldn't sit up and had to ask the teacher to let me lie down in class because of the pain. But I was still determined to finish 12th grade."
The dream of university life and beautiful friendships.
Extraordinary perseverance has helped Le Viet Thuan achieve well-deserved success. In 2013, despite being eligible for direct admission, he was determined to take the university entrance exam and was accepted into both the Academy of Educational Management and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi. He chose to study Social Work.
On that challenging path, Thuan was not alone. He had a close friend, Dong Minh Hieu, who became his "legs," silently driving him to class every day throughout his school years. This friendship gave him immense strength to overcome all difficulties on his journey to acquire knowledge.
Spreading the spirit of resilience to the community.
After graduating, Le Viet Thuan not only focused on his own life but also dedicated himself to contributing to the community. He began connecting with organizations for people with disabilities and humanitarian organizations nationwide. In 2021, he joined the Association of Families of Young People with Cerebral Palsy in Bac Ninh province, where he became an active member and an inspiration to families and children with similar circumstances.
Through his own story, Mr. Le Viet Thuan has spread love and resilience, helping the cerebral palsy community find more motivation to strive and believe in a bright future. His story has been featured on VTV's "Station of Love" program as a testament to the power of willpower and an unyielding spirit.
