The Willpower of a Woman with Muscular Dystrophy, Weighing Only 20 Kg

Despite her small body and being confined to a wheelchair, Nguyen Thi Thu Trang in Block 16, Hung Binh Ward, Vinh City (Nghe An) still spends time on the Internet every day to find new flower designs. Her job is to make paper and fabric flowers to decorate houses, cafes, temples, etc.

Ms. Le Thi Nhung, Thu Trang’s mother, said about her daughter: “When Trang was over 1 year old, she was learning to walk when she had a high fever that caused severe convulsions. Since then, Trang could no longer walk, her legs and arms gradually atrophied and became convulsed. She was taken to the hospital for examination, the doctor concluded that she had congenital kidney disease and prescribed medication, but the condition did not improve at all…”

As she grew older, Thu Trang's hands and feet became more and more difficult to move, and she had to rely on her parents' help for all her daily activities. When she was 6 years old, her mother took her to kindergarten to learn letters. However, because her hands and feet were difficult to move, and her body was small and weak, Thu Trang was not strong enough to go to first grade, so she had to return to live quietly in her house, facing four silent walls every day.

Although Thu Trang's body is disabled and weak, her intelligence develops normally. She soon realized the disadvantages that fate brought to her, so she did not cry or complain, but instead silently endured. Loving her parents, Thu Trang always acted obediently, trying not to bother them too much.

Living in a wheelchair and confined to a small house, weighing only 20 kg, there were times when Thu Trang thought her life had no meaning, no hope for the future. Then, when the Internet became popular, her family bought her a laptop to be her companion, to connect with the outside world.

Thanks to the computer connected to the Internet, the disabled girl has found joy. And more than that, the computer also helps her learn to write and calculate, and in just a short time she can read and type fluently. That helps Thu Trang to be more confident in her abilities and continue to explore the interesting things of the online world.

Like many other women, Thu Trang loves flowers. One day, she went to a website that taught how to make flowers and was fascinated by every detail that went into making a flower out of paper and fabric. Deciding to learn how to make flowers, she ordered tools and materials and followed the instructions step by step.

One would think that her crippled hands and crooked fingers would not be suitable for work that requires dexterity and meticulousness, but on the contrary, Thu Trang’s hands proved to be skillful in making flowers from paper and fabric. When the products were finished, everyone praised them, at first unable to believe that they were made by the hands of a person with muscle atrophy.

“The compliments and encouragement have given me more motivation and confidence to move forward. I was determined to start a business making paper and fabric flowers and received support from everyone. Currently, my work and income are quite stable, my orders are stable, these products are decorated in private homes, coffee shops and pagodas often order them to release flower lanterns on Buddha's birthday,” Ms. Thu Trang shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang is a disabled member who always strives to improve her life, becoming a shining example of overcoming her disability. She has been honored by all levels of the association, including the recognition by the Provincial Women's Union as a disabled member who has overcome difficulties to improve herself.

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MS. NGUYEN THI THAI - CHAIRMAN OF WOMEN'S UNION OF HUNG BINH WARD