"When I saw my child, it was like I fell from the sky."
Actor Quoc Tuan's son, Bom, unfortunately suffers from a rare congenital condition called localized premature fusion of the bones of the skull, causing airway narrowing. The condition results in fused fingers and toes, and premature closure of the skull, requiring multiple surgeries to separate the fingers and toes and expand the skull.
When their son was born, Quoc Tuan and his wife were plunged into despair. The pain was unbearable as they watched their precious son suffer disadvantages compared to other children.
Recalling the moment he first met his child, Quoc Tuan once shared: "My wife had a cesarean section, and I was lucky enough to be allowed into the delivery room by the doctor. I was so eager to hold my child, but when I saw my baby, I felt like I had fallen from the sky, stunned because my child had many facial deformities."
I stood there speechless for 30 minutes. That night, I stayed awake, hoping it was just a nightmare. Unable to bear it any longer, I went back to the hospital near dawn. I had mentally prepared myself to accept and fight against fate, but every time I saw my child, I couldn't hold back my tears. At that time, my child was in an incubator, and surprisingly, when I reached my hand through the small opening to touch him, I felt him grip my hand tightly and sob uncontrollably. This is what made me believe that little Bom was normal and that he could be cured.
"Because Bom's airways are very narrow, he can't breathe properly while sleeping, so my wife and I have taken turns staying awake to hold him while he sleeps. For seven years straight, my wife and I have only slept 2-3 hours each night. We don't dare travel far from Hanoi for even a day because our son can't be without his father, and our family practically has permanent residency at the National Children's Hospital," Quoc Tuan shared on the "Seventh Wish" program.
After the initial shock, Quoc Tuan told himself that he would do everything, even sacrifice his own life, so that his son could have a life like other children. Instead of giving up, Quoc Tuan was determined to dedicate all his love and patience to accompanying his son on this challenging journey.
The actor decided to put his career on hold to dedicate all his time and energy to his son. He and his wife traveled extensively with their son for treatment. Each time they paid for Bom's hospital bills, he had to spend tens of thousands of USD. There was even a time when Quoc Tuan had to sell his house to pay for his son's medical expenses. However, for Quoc Tuan, this amount of money was nothing if Bom recovered his health.
Bom's journey to recover from his illness was arduous, but actor Quoc Tuan's efforts in helping his son gain confidence and develop like a normal boy have earned him even more admiration and respect from the public.
Step by step, he guided Bom through the simplest things like eating and personal hygiene, to learning and integrating into the world around him. His own schedule depended on his son's timetable, but seeing Bom grow up day by day filled him with contentment and happiness.
Throughout more than 20 years of accompanying his son, there have been times when he almost broke down, but with the love of a father, Quoc Tuan told himself: " If I fall, my son will die. I shake my head to see that my feet are touching the ground, and then I hug my son and keep going," with a strong belief that little Bom will be alright.
His father's unwavering faith and boundless love are a tremendous source of motivation that helps Bom progress day by day. Despite undergoing dozens of difficult and painful surgeries, Bom remains remarkably optimistic and resilient.
"Children are the love of their parents, and all children deserve a normal, happy, and healthy life. To be honest, I still feel guilty towards my son. But when it comes to extraordinary things, it's Bom who's truly remarkable, not me."
"After undergoing more than 10 major surgeries, enduring physical pain, and sometimes having to wear a metal frame with sharp screws inserted directly into his skull—a single bump could shatter his skull—Bom overcame and conquered the disease. So why shouldn't we, as parents, try our best to support our child, right?" , the actor said in an interview in 2018.
After years of treatment for Apert syndrome, Bom's health has stabilized. Actor Quoc Tuan plans to have his son's jaw corrected this year so he can speak more clearly. Previously, the actor shared that his biggest dream was for Bom to have cosmetic surgery, dental implants, and finger reshaping. Bom himself is also looking forward to the day he can be "completed."
Recently, as his son's health improved, Quoc Tuan gradually returned to acting. He just made a comeback to the big screen after an 18-year absence with a supporting role in the film "The Last Wife." Before that, in 2021, Quoc Tuan participated in the play "The Unequal Battle."
Quoc Tuan's son shows talent and passion for the piano.
Not only that, throughout his more than 20-year journey of supporting his son, Quoc Tuan has also nurtured his son's love of music . Bom showed a talent for the piano. He dedicated a lot of time to his passion, practicing the piano for at least 8-10 hours a day. When he was focused on playing, he didn't even notice the sweat soaking his shirt. Seeing his son like that, Quoc Tuan was very happy.
In October 2017, Bom received a two-year scholarship from the Board of Directors of the Vietnam National Academy of Music for being among the top 5 in the school's entrance exam for the Jazz Piano department.
Since studying in a professional environment, Quoc Tuan praises his son for becoming more mature, knowledgeable, and having clear, flexible thinking. He speaks more concisely and fluently than before. Quoc Tuan always makes the most of every moment to be with his son. As someone knowledgeable about music, he accompanies his son in practice. When Bom plays off-key, out of tune, or makes mistakes in notes, he immediately notices and corrects him.
"Bom used to have many fingers fused together, making his movements less flexible than other children, so playing the piano requires more strength. If he practices for too long, it will affect his health," Quoc Tuan said.
When his son first entered the Conservatory, the actor worried that Bom wouldn't be able to go the distance. After a year of studying at the intermediate level, specializing in Jazz Piano at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, Bom made remarkable progress.
For seven years studying Jazz Piano, Bom consistently achieved high grades and was an outstanding student. This relieved Quoc Tuan of a great burden, as his son's excellent academic performance fueled his growing passion for the art. He wanted his son to be truly serious about his career, because in the arts, there is no room for leniency or compromise.
Recently, Bom took his vocational college graduation exam and scored 9.3 points. He was praised by the judges for his good performance and consistent form. Bom was also one of two students who received a scholarship in this exam.
On their son's graduation day, both Quoc Tuan and his wife were happy and proud of their son's maturity. According to plan, after graduating from the vocational school at the Academy, Bom will take the university entrance exam and continue his studies for four years. Actor Quoc Tuan is guiding his son to focus on his studies and pursue his dream of becoming a professional pianist.
"I feel a sense of satisfaction not because my son has accomplished anything, but because I've seen him grow up. Later, when I'm no longer around, Bom will still have a profession to make a living. That makes me truly happy," Quoc Tuan shared emotionally.
With perseverance, optimism, and boundless love, Quoc Tuan has become a strong pillar of support, guiding Bom through all challenges and towards a bright future. The story of how he and his son overcame adversity continues to inspire millions and serves as a meaningful lesson about fatherly love, spreading love throughout the community.
Actor Quoc Tuan was born in 1961. After working at the Youth Theatre, he moved to the Vietnam Feature Film Studio. He tried his hand at directing with the 55-episode series "Proud Heart" in 2010. However, Quoc Tuan is best known as an actor.
Quoc Tuan was once one of the most beloved television actors, especially in the series "The Village Headman's Trumpeter," "12A and 4H," and "Those Who Live Around Me"... In 2007, he continued to appear in the film "The Law of Life " and has since retired from acting to take care of his son. In 2023, the artist participated in a supporting role in the film "The Last Wife ," marking his return after an 18-year absence from the film industry.
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