Entering the lecture hall in a wheelchair, a 9X Vietnamese became a 'hero' in America

Unable to walk, unable to use his hands, unable to speak clearly, alone in a wheelchair, Tran Manh Chanh Quan (born in 1992) still confidently reaches out to the world.

Moreover, the boy from Vung Tau also became a "Silent Hero" who inspired strongly in America.

Tran Manh Chanh Quan walks down the aisle to receive his diploma from Georgia Gwinnett University, USA.

“The Da Vinci of Programming”

“Quan was born in Vietnam with cerebral palsy. After graduating from high school, Quan came to the United States to study information technology. Dr. Evelyn Brannock, Robert Lutz and Lissa Pollacia were the people who always encouraged Quan in addition to the support of his family."

“I like to call Quan the Da Vinci of programming,” said Dr. Brannock. “He creates beautiful code and his creations have great potential.”

“If you can’t do things the normal way, find another way. You are defined by yourself and your achievements, not by anyone else,” Quan said.

These are excerpts about the portrait of Vietnamese boy Tran Manh Chanh Quan in the article "Penguins learn to fly" published in the magazine of Georgia Gwinnett College, USA in November 2016.

Quan appeared in the Georgia Gwinnett College magazine as an international student with extraordinary determination.

The journey of reaching out to the world and affirming the intelligence and personality of a Vietnamese man with cerebral palsy has become a strong source of inspiration for many Americans, especially young people. That is the reason why Tran Manh Chanh Quan was honored to receive the title "Unsung Hero" (Silent Hero) from Georgia Gwinnett University (GGC) in Georgia, USA on April 20 this year.

In mid-May, at the graduation ceremony of the 2013-2017 school year of Georgia Gwinnett University, the name Tran Manh Chanh Quan resounded amidst the thunderous applause of congratulations from all friends and teachers. The 9X Viet was awarded 2 university degrees in Information Technology and Mathematics.

The title Unsung hero - The silent hero that the Vietnamese guy received.

Sharing with Dan Tri reporter about the reason for being honored as "Silent Hero", Quan said: "The article written about me in Engage magazine, a branch of Georgia Gwinnett College, has inspired many people.

In addition, I am also known as a student with good programming skills, willing to help other students when needed. I think this is what makes me stand out among the students here."

Quan expressed joy and pride, not because of the hero title but because he had proven that he did not come to America to ask for any pity. "At first, many people thought I came to America to seek help. But now I am respected and loved for my own abilities," Quan confided.

The boy with cerebral palsy never gave up in the face of difficulties.

Having congenital cerebral palsy, his parents initially did not want Quan to go to school, but from a young age, Quan showed a progressive and sociable nature. Unable to control his arms and legs as he wished, unable to communicate with the world in a normal way like everyone else, but Quan did not give up.

In 6th grade, Quan's parents provided him with a laptop to help him copy his notes in class. His right hand was completely paralyzed, so Quan forced his mother to tie his legs so he could practice sewing using the three fingers on his left hand.

“Putting your feet on the table in class is... unsightly,” Quan said with a laugh.

Quan is studious and determined to learn. Quan once decided to climb 1,000 steps up Tao Phung Mountain (Vung Tau) to prove to his teachers that he was healthy enough to participate in the National Excellent Student Exam in the 2009-2010 school year...

Passionate about Information Technology, Quan excelled in winning many provincial and national awards for excellent Information Technology. In grade 9, he passed the entrance exam to Vung Tau province's specialized school with a near-perfect score in specialized subjects and then moved to the city to study alone.

Boy Quan practices arm movements at the age of 2.

With his outstanding efforts and achievements, after graduating from high school, Quan was sponsored to study at Utica College in New York (USA). In 2013, Quan was awarded a 50% scholarship by Georgia Gwinnett College (USA). The Vietnamese international student was a bright student at the school, selected to participate in competitions of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP).

In November 2016, the "giant" Google called Quan to apply for a full-time job. The 9X also achieved high rankings in many competitions AITP, NCC, ACM... After 4 years of hard work, Quan held his university diploma in his two favorite majors.

Quan and his mother on their college graduation day in the US.

Desire for a meaningful life

In America, alone with a wheelchair, in the winter, heavy snowfall, Quan was stuck in the cold snow for hours many times, unable to move. Luckily, those times, people passing by saw him and called the experts to help pull him out.

Every day, Quan takes a wheelchair from his accommodation to school for about 10 minutes, moving to the upper-floor classroom by elevator. At mealtimes, someone helps Quan bring out the food and he eats by himself. He puts his clothes in the shared washing machine, presses the button and takes care of it himself. Because he is a disabled student, the school organizes separate exams for Quan, monitored by cameras.

The Vietnamese man believes that difficulties and obstacles are for him to overcome, not for him to complain or give up. “Someone told me that I should become an American citizen to make it easier for me to study and work, but I refused. I want to go to America to study and see what they have that is better than mine,” Quan shared.

Tran Manh Chanh Quan (middle) makes Vietnamese people in America happy.

The “silent hero” sees himself as a normal person with just a “disability”. For Quan, “no one is perfect so there is no need to be sad when I am too. The motivation is that I have something different from others”.

After graduating from college, Quan stayed in the US for a while to complete unfinished projects and gain experience. The 9X plans to return home to work once he is strong enough to stand on his own two feet.

Quan’s courage, determination and ability in a foreign land are truly a source of Vietnamese pride. Tran Manh Chanh Quan lives beautifully with the desire to affirm his meaningful existence in the community, as he wrote in the verses on his personal blog:

"The sky is broken, the thirsty birds fly,

Breaking the seabed, craving for fish to swim...

When the pearl dissolves in water,

At that time my heart was cold to life".

According to Dantri