Surpass yourself

(Baonghean) - In life, we may encounter extreme deadlocks, but look, the vast world we live in is not just gray. Always be optimistic, always have faith and overcome yourself, then nothing is impossible...

I was born in the countryside of Nam Thanh, Nam Dan district. My family was poor, and our lives depended on the fields all year round. My parents had three children, I was the youngest in the family, and I had two older sisters. I still remember my childhood years. Although life was lacking in material things, my family was always filled with laughter. My three sisters and I encouraged each other to study hard and help our parents with the fields.

However, no one knew what to expect. My eldest sister unfortunately fell, and after that, even a slight fall would break her bones. Unfortunately, my second sister and I also faced the same situation. Gradually, my three sisters' legs atrophied, and our height did not grow. My parents took us to the doctor, and I heard the doctor mention brittle bone disease. At that time, I was too young to understand the seriousness of this disease. But looking at my parents' sadness, I knew that my sisters and I would become disabled.

Dinh Van Chung's home appliance repair work.

Many times I witnessed my mother crying alone in the small kitchen, her thin shoulders trembling in the smoke of straw. My father still appeared resilient and strong, but the burden of his children's illness and the family's difficult circumstances made him look older and older. At those times, I felt completely helpless and hopeless. Many nights, my three sisters and I sat together, trying to find ways to help our parents, but our health did not allow it, causing all solutions to fall into a deadlock. At that time, we understood that overcoming difficulties and striving to study was the only way to become useful people.

Then, my sisters and I encouraged and advised each other to study. Every morning, the three of us, one on crutches, one in a wheelchair, took each other to school. At night, we lit the lamp and taught each other difficult essays and math problems. For 9 consecutive years, I was an excellent student. I also participated in chess and Chinese chess tournaments organized by the province for students and won many prizes. Ambitions and dreams seemed to give me more strength, helping my sisters and I regain our faith in life. However, once again, God tested people's hearts. All three of us had to stop studying after 9th grade, partly because the high school was too far from home, our mobility was limited, and partly because our family was poor. The money for treatment for the three of us, medicine, and family life depended on a few fields. At that time, my father fell while returning from the field, the medical expenses were too high, making life even more difficult.

In 2011, while watching TV at a neighbor's house, my eldest sister found the program "Overcoming Yourself" organized by Vietnam Television very meaningful, so she discussed with her family and wrote a letter to register to participate. Happiness exploded when, just a few months later, the program came to film our family's situation and the three of us were able to participate. Overcoming the challenges, we won 57 million VND. In addition, my sister was also sponsored for a year of sewing training and was given a sewing machine. Being diligent, her skills became more and more solid, and the neighbors praised her. My sister had more income to support family expenses.

Dinh Van Chung's small family. (photo provided by the character)

As for me, having to put my studies aside was the greatest sadness. Sitting in front of my house, watching my friends playing and going to school, my tears were always on the verge of falling. Every night, I dreamed of going to class and listening to my teachers. Then when I woke up, I heard my friends calling each other to go to school outside, making me feel infinitely sad. Even now, that dream sometimes comes back, with longing and regret.

Having been passionate and fond of Physics since my school days, I was determined to go to the city to learn electronics repair. Because I didn’t have money to attend vocational classes, I groped around looking for repair shops to apply for training. However, my body was disabled, I had to use a wheelchair, many places were reluctant to accept me. I didn’t give up, still kept the hope of searching and then I was lucky to meet a kind owner of an electronics repair shop on Minh Khai Street (Vinh City). He not only did not discriminate against disabled people like me but also enthusiastically helped me. After a year of studying here, I was taught basic knowledge.

After that, I returned to Nam Dan town and applied for an unpaid job at a repair shop to improve my skills. In 2013, I borrowed 25 million VND from relatives and friends to open a repair shop right next to my house. Luckily, I was trusted by the people in the area, and more and more customers came every day. My current income is enough to cover expenses and support my parents.

People say that life is full of miracles, and I believed it. In mid-2012, a music troupe from the Association for the Disabled came to perform locally and stayed in my house. In the troupe, there was Mr. Nguyen Van Tu (from Do Luong), a talented magician who had performed in many circuses in the country. He was skinny, with withered legs, and had wandered around the North and South to make a living. As if destined by God, my eldest sister and Mr. Tu fell in love with each other and not long after, they became husband and wife with the blessings of their relatives and neighbors. More special, my second sister also fell in love with another guy in the troupe. That was Mr. Pham Thanh Trieu (from Da Nang), who also had a leg disability. My family continued to welcome new joys. Life was filled with laughter when my grandchildren were born one after another and fortunately, they were as healthy as normal people.

Currently, in addition to repairing household appliances for the local people, I occasionally arrange time to follow my brother-in-law and sister to perform circus acts in the local areas. Life is less difficult than before, more than half of my family members are disabled but the love for each other is always full. That is something I am always proud of and satisfied with.

Phuong Thao

(Recorded according to the story of Dinh Van Chung, hamlet 1B, Nam Thanh commune, Nam Dan)