Blue Light

Pham Nguyen Thanh Lam (front row, first from the right) and her grandmother live in a room in the dormitory of the University of Education, Da Nang University. The room is rented free of charge by the university. Photo: TD

Light from love

Born with normal eyesight, Phạm Nguyễn Thanh Lam's life was completely changed around 2019 when, while in 8th grade, she suddenly fell ill. In just 10 short days, her right eye completely lost its vision, while her left eye only had 2/10 vision. By the middle of 9th grade, she was completely blind. Doctors diagnosed Lam with glaucoma, a disease commonly found in the elderly, and her case was extremely rare at her age.

The sudden tragedy left Lam and her family in shock. From a lively girl, Lam gradually became insecure and withdrawn from the world around her. She had to confront the darkness and learn to adapt to life with a visual impairment. But in this arduous journey, Lam was not alone. Her family, teachers, and friends became a strong support system, helping her overcome adversity step by step.

During the most difficult times, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuong (born in 1977, Lam's mother) was not only a mother but also a friend and a source of emotional support for her daughter. Every weekend during the summer after Lam's ninth grade, Ms. Tuong drove Lam from Quang Nam to Da Nang to learn Braille. For two long years, she patiently accompanied her daughter, overcoming the long and tiring journey. On those back-and-forth trips, she always whispered words of encouragement to her daughter: "Losing sight doesn't mean losing everything." These simple yet loving words gave Lam the strength to not give up.

When Lam passed the entrance exam to the University of Education (Da Nang University), her family was overwhelmed with joy. But that joy was also accompanied by a nagging worry: "How will she be able to take care of herself in a strange city when she can't see?" Unable to bear leaving her granddaughter to face difficulties alone, Mrs. Huynh Thi Bich Hong (born in 1937, Lam's maternal grandmother, from Tien Canh commune, Tien Phuoc district), who had never left her homeland, decided to pack her bags and move to Da Nang with Lam. Every day, she would accompany Lam from their rented room to the lecture hall and back again. The elderly woman with gray hair and a frail figure became her granddaughter's eyes and emotional support.

The image of the grandmother and granddaughter quietly holding hands on their way to school touched many hearts. Sympathizing with Lam's situation, the University of Education granted them free accommodation in the dormitory. The spacious, well-equipped room is not only a place to live but also a testament to the community's care and support for the two of them. Associate Professor Vo Van Minh, the university's Rector, shared: "Lam's story is a powerful source of inspiration about willpower and perseverance in life. We hope that through this story, young people will realize that circumstances do not determine success, but rather effort and a spirit of overcoming difficulties will open the door to the future."

Light from the strength to overcome adversity

Throughout her challenging journey, Lam never let the darkness defeat her. She understood that only through education could she become independent and open up a better future. Therefore, the visually impaired student persevered in pursuing her dreams. Ms. Tuong still vividly remembers her daughter's words during the most difficult days: "Mom, don't be sad, even though I'm blind, I'm still alive with you and Dad." Lam's optimism and strength became the driving force for the whole family to keep moving forward.

Lam chose to study Psychology because she wanted to be able to help people in similar situations in the future. She said that her own experiences helped her understand the emotional trauma that visually impaired people face and she wanted to share that with them. Initially, Lam was quite anxious when she started university, but the support from her friends and teachers helped her gain confidence. Nguyen Thi Khanh Linh, Lam's classmate and dormitory roommate, shared: "Lam is very diligent and intelligent. Whenever we do group assignments, she always contributes many great ideas. Lam is a role model for us to cherish what we have and strive harder for the future."

Although many challenges still lie ahead, Lam has never stopped trying. Lam shared: "I feel lucky because even though my eyesight has been lost, I still have a healthy body. I can still go to school, and most importantly, I always receive love and support from my family, teachers, friends, and even strangers. These things help me never give up."

The light has faded forever from Lam's eyes, but another light has never been extinguished. It is the light of extraordinary resilience, of faith in the future. And more than that, it is the light of love – a warm light that has illuminated her path, helping Lam to move steadily towards a brighter tomorrow.

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