Heartbreaking story of a nearly 90-year-old woman raising her mentally ill son.

(Baonghean.vn) - In a house where only a mother and son live, the 87-year-old mother is caring for her sick son, who is chained to the bed all day. This is the tragic situation of Mrs. Tran Thi Dung in Hamlet 9, Da Son Commune (Do Luong District).

In the dilapidated, rickety old house, a wooden bed was placed against the gable wall. Tran Van Son (42 years old), the old man's son, was wrapped tightly in a blanket, one hand chained to the bedpost. The house was almost completely empty. The old man pulled the blanket over his son, who lay lifeless. Sitting beside his son, the old man sadly recounted his life story.

In her youth, after several marriages without children, she remarried Mr. Tran Van Chat, a retired veteran who had returned to his hometown. When their first son was born, the couple were overjoyed, believing life had finally smiled upon them, as they now had a son to rely on in their old age. However, not long after, a series of misfortunes befell their family.

Ms. Tran Thi Dung is stacking bricks to weigh down the tarpaulin covering the front porch, to prevent sun and rain from splashing into the house.

First, Mr. Chất developed a mental illness, often running around the village, shouting, and digging sand tunnels in the river to create shelters… Mr. Chất enlisted in the army during the war against the French, participated in the fight against the Americans in the Southern battlefield, and was captured and imprisoned by the enemy. Many believe he suffered from psychological trauma and a nervous disorder due to the effects of war and Agent Orange. This illness lasted for many years, leading to physical exhaustion, and he passed away in 2001.

The old man's only son was Tran Van Son, who, after finishing junior high school, went to work far away in the South. Upon hearing of his father's death, he returned home to attend the funeral. Even more heartbreaking was that shortly afterward, he developed the same illness as his father, leaving home to wander aimlessly, shouting, causing destruction, and blocking traffic...

His family and relatives took Son to the hospital for treatment many times, but his condition did not improve. From a healthy young man, Son suddenly became delirious and disoriented, losing all awareness of his surroundings. When he had an episode, he would throw everything in the house, including the altar, and burn all of his father's books, papers, and medals; he would climb onto the roof and throw all the roof tiles down into the yard… During such times, no one dared to approach him except his relatives.

Mrs. Dung with her 42-year-old ailing son.

For the past five years, relatives of Mrs. Dung have been forced to chain Mr. Son up inside the house. Every day, he lies curled up on the bed, sometimes silent, sometimes screaming, causing a commotion in the neighborhood. At mealtimes, neighbors bring food over to Mrs. Dung, who tries to cook it herself. Before, Mr. Son could feed himself, but now Mrs. Dung has to feed him while she eats. When it's time for him to bathe, relatives come to unlock the chains, threatening and shouting before they can get Mr. Son to go to the well.

Scooping leftover rice from the pot to eat for dinner, Mrs. Dung choked up: "I thought I'd have a son to rely on, but who would have thought that after Mr. Chat died, his son would get sick like this. My family is so unfortunate, but what can I do?" Mrs. Dung herself is old and frail, struggling to walk, and already has difficulty taking care of herself, yet she also has to worry about her sick son. Her situation is truly heartbreaking.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hong, head of Hamlet 9, shared: "Mrs. Dung's family is the most unfortunate in the hamlet. For decades, she has been worried about her husband, then her son. There is no one else in the family to rely on. Although the local government and neighbors have shown some concern and provided some assistance, they cannot alleviate the suffering of her family."

Leaving the small house by Highway 46, bidding farewell to Mrs. Dung in the fading twilight, the image of the elderly mother sitting listlessly, gazing at her sick, godless son, still lingers in our hearts.

Mrs. Dung's unfortunate circumstances urgently require the support and assistance of the community, helping her family alleviate some of the difficulties in their lives.

Huy Thu