'Our hands create everything'

For 45 years, Mr. Ma Thanh Dien, originally from Tay Son 1 hamlet, An Bien commune, An Giang province, has "overcome himself" with extraordinary willpower. His physical disabilities have not prevented him from being self-reliant and rising above adversity to live like a normal person.

In 1982, cruel fate forced Thanh Dien's parents to painfully accept the fact that their one-year-old son could not stand on his own two feet due to polio.

Hands are also feet

Wiping away their tears, Dien's parents were determined to help their son overcome his difficulties step by step. Watching the other children in the neighborhood running and jumping around, Dien's eyes followed them with longing. Heartbroken, his family patiently guided him, and Dien began to use his hands to move on his own.

From a young age, Dien used his hands instead of his feet for most of his daily activities. As a result, his palms became calloused over the years. However, this somewhat eased his parents' worries, as they saw their son confidently playing and socializing with his peers.

Unable to run and jump like his peers, he found his own ways to exercise. His favorite sport at the time was playing catch with his friends. His optimism and never-give-up spirit earned him the affection of his friends.

Thanks to the skills he honed from a young age, he became increasingly independent. In his early school years, he still needed relatives to take him to and from school by bicycle. Later, he went to and from school by himself. While others wore sandals on their feet, he would slip them on his hands to reduce pain when traveling long distances.

The determination of that student, Thanh Dien, left a lasting impression on his teachers and friends, and became a source of inspiration for many students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Mr. Ma Thanh Dien with his mobile lottery ticket vending cart.

PHOTO: TGCC

Simple happiness

Out of love and respect for his parents who had toiled their whole lives for him, Dien overcame his physical insecurities and left behind the rough, winding roads that mirrored his own life. From his wheelchair, he diligently sells lottery tickets to help his parents support their seven siblings. Despite the hardships, his optimistic smile remains: "Many people suffer more than me, but they don't surrender to fate. If I can't walk, I'll walk with my hands to earn a living."

Life took away Dien's physical health, but compensated him with diligence, kindness, and admirable resilience. These qualities helped him find his own happiness.

In 2003, Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, a woman from the same hometown and two years younger than him, decided to commit to the disabled man she loved and admired. A year later, the couple welcomed their first son, Ma Vi Khang, into the world.

The small family of the lottery ticket seller and hired laborer may not have much material wealth, but it is always full of laughter and sharing. Understanding the hardships of his parents, Vi Khang quickly realized that he must strive to study hard and live responsibly so as not to disappoint those who have sacrificed for him.

In 2012, Mr. Dien and his wife's second son, Ma Duy Khanh, was born. The addition of a new family member meant more worries, but the couple continued to work hard to provide for their children. Mr. Dien took on more lottery ticket sales, spending his days from morning till night on his familiar three-wheeled vehicle. All the hardships seemed lighter when he thought about the future of his two children.

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Job opportunities for freelance workers were dwindling in their hometown, so in 2017, Mr. Dien and his wife decided to move to Ho Chi Minh City with their two children to make a living. Fortunately, the owner of a row of rental rooms on Street 6, Block 53, Tang Nhon Phu Ward, provided Ms. Trang and her eldest son with the responsibility of managing over 150 rooms. With work right where they lived, the family gradually settled down in their new home.

For his part, Mr. Dien bought a used motorbike, converted it into a three-wheeled vehicle, and continued his lottery ticket selling business. Every day, the small vehicle rolls along the streets with its "mobile lottery ticket stand" in front.

Knowing his circumstances, many people often buy lottery tickets to support him. Whether customers buy one or many tickets, he always smiles and sincerely thanks them. Some people intentionally give him extra money to help, but he gently refuses and returns the excess.

"Everyone buying lottery tickets is already helping me a lot. Please donate that money to those who are more disadvantaged or to charities," Mr. Dien shared.

Self-respect, gratitude, and a spirit of always thinking of others have helped this disabled man earn the affection of many people on his journey to make a living.

Fairy tales in everyday life

In recent years, Ms. Trang has suffered from type 2 diabetes and has had to be hospitalized occasionally. Each time, Mr. Dien would leave for the lottery earlier in the morning so he could be at the hospital in the evening to care for his wife. The doctors and nurses at Thu Duc Regional General Hospital have become accustomed to seeing the husband sitting in a wheelchair beside his wife's bed. He talks to her, comforts her, and encourages her, giving her the strength to overcome her illness. His love and attentiveness towards his wife have moved and inspired other patients.

Mr. Dien's resilience and optimism were also a great source of encouragement for Ms. Trang to confidently continue her treatment. During the most difficult months, he and their two children became the family's pillar of support. Speaking about her husband, Ms. Trang said emotionally, "Mr. Dien has suffered many hardships, but he always shows love and responsibility to his wife and children. To me, he is a husband worth cherishing, and I have never regretted my choice."

The local authorities have always shown him special affection. Every year during the Lunar New Year, he receives heartwarming gifts.

In return for the kindness he has received, Mr. Dien always reminds himself to live a useful life and be ready to help others as a way of showing gratitude. During the campaign to support people in Central Vietnam affected by floods and storms in 2025, his family also voluntarily contributed. "Even a small contribution is appreciated; we hope our fellow citizens will soon be able to stabilize their lives," he shared.

Not only does he love people, but he also cherishes the small creatures around him. One day, while walking along La Xuan Oai street (Tang Nhon Phu ward), he saw someone selling a bittern, so he spent 150,000 dong to buy it and released it back into the wild near the foot of Tang Long bridge. That amount of money is equivalent to hundreds of lottery tickets he would have to sell to earn it, but for him, the joy of seeing the bird free meant far more.

Speaking of Mr. Dien, Ms. Bui Thi Hue, Head of Neighborhood 53, Tang Nhon Phu Ward, couldn't hide her admiration. According to her, his story of overcoming adversity and his kind spirit has become an inspiration to many people in the neighborhood. "Having sold lottery tickets everywhere for many years, he is known, loved, and considered like a family member by many," Ms. Hue shared.

More than just a story of resilience, Ma Thanh Dien's journey is a reminder that adversity cannot defeat those who nurture faith and a desire to live. And it is from these simple things that beautiful values ​​continue to spread every day.

We invite you to participate in the 6th "Living Beautifully" contest, with a total prize pool of 400 million VND.

Entering its sixth season with the theme " Journey Without Limits ," the "Living Beautifully" contest organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper continues to expand its scope in seeking and honoring positive values ​​in daily life. The contest includes a Writing category (essays, reports, notes) and a Photo category, with a total prize value of 400 million VND.

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ban-tay-ta-lam-nen-tat-ca-185260529100436279.htm