Pity the single mother raising a child with cerebral palsy

(Baonghean.vn) - Not having the complete happiness like other women, she gave birth to a child alone hoping to have a place to rely on when she was old. Having suffered so much bitterness and hardship, her child was born with cerebral palsy, making her miserable even more.

That is the pitiful situation of Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien (born in 1954) in Hamlet 1, Nghi Cong Nam Commune (Nghi Loc). Her daughter - Nguyen Thi Bong (born in 1990) has congenital cerebral palsy and is bedridden.

After many times taking her child to see a doctor and get treatment, all her efforts were in vain. The child could not speak, walk or even sit up by himself. All movements were very difficult. With great effort, the child could only lean to the left or right to relieve the fatigue.

All of Bong's personal activities depend on her mother. Photo: Ha Linh

Bong had to rely on her mother for all her activities, from eating, drinking to personal hygiene. When she was young, her mother's help was quite easy, but as she grew older, it became more difficult, especially during her daughter's "monthly" period, which made it even harder for Lien.

Despite having cerebral palsy, Bong was still taught to write by her mother and can now write her name. Photo: Ha Linh

In 2012, the old dilapidated house her parents left her, which her siblings gave her priority to live in, collapsed. The government supported her with 7.2 million VND for repairs, and her siblings and relatives contributed more, but it was not enough, so she had to borrow another 8 million VND from the Policy Bank to repair the house. However, 5 years have passed and the debt is still there, and she has not paid a single penny.

Each month, she and her child only have nearly 1 million VND, including the 670,000 VND allowance for the severely disabled for Bong and 250,000 VND for the caregiver. That is only enough to buy medicine for her child and take her to the hospital 3 times a year for check-ups, to buy medicine for asthma and chronic bronchitis. She also raises a few chickens, occasionally selling one to buy food, the rest of her food is mainly vegetables from the home garden.

To renovate the level 4 house since 2012, Ms. Lien still owes the Policy Bank 8 million VND. Photo: Ha Linh

Ms. Lien shared: Now that I am healthy, I want to go to work to earn more money to pay off the debt, because the debt has been overdue for a long time and there is still no way to pay. But because I am worried about Bong, I cannot be away from home for too long. The neighborhood is deserted, and the house is near the road, so I don't know who to leave the child with so I can go to work.

Ms. Vo Thi Quynh - policy officer of Nghi Cong Nam commune said: the commune government is very concerned about Ms. Lien's situation, but it is only a gift for holidays and Tet to encourage her and her children, not much to help her pay off the debt. Previously, she was also supported by her brother, but now he has passed away, only when Bong is sick does she ask her children to take her to the hospital, otherwise everyone is busy working to earn a living. We hope that readers near and far will support and help Ms. Lien so that she can pay off all the debt and contribute to raising Bong.

Please send all donations to Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien, in Hamlet 1, Nghi Cong Nam Commune (Nghi Loc District).

Phone number: 0913.389.146

Or Distribution - Social Activities Department of Nghe An Newspaper, No. 3 Le Nin Avenue, Hung Phuc Ward, Vinh City, Nghe An.

Ha Linh