The silent suffering behind Agent Orange

Although the war is long over, its consequences still linger in many families affected by Agent Orange. Silently behind this suffering are the hardworking mothers, wives, and sisters who have sacrificed and cared for their families, becoming a pillar of support for the victims.

Perhaps nothing can measure the pain of a mother who witnesses her children, born healthy, gradually becoming intellectually disabled or paralyzed. At over 70 years old, when they should be enjoying peace and quiet with their children and grandchildren, Mr. Le Dinh Nhac and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tam in Nui Trang area, Phu Ninh commune, have not had a single peaceful night's sleep for over 40 years because two of their four children suffer from intellectual disabilities due to the effects of Agent Orange.

Mr. Nhac enlisted in 1967 and fought in battles in the South, from Quang Ngai to Kom Tum. Mrs. Tam shared: "My husband was a direct victim of Agent Orange, suffering from many illnesses, and now he's infected our children too. I can't hold back my tears. All of our children's personal needs, like eating and bathing, depend on others. As a mother, I'm often ill, but I still have to take care of my children every day. Sometimes I'm so tired I can't even get up, and thinking about my children makes my heart ache even more..."

Despite being 34 years old, Mr. Nguyen Van Thang's youngest son in Zone 9, Ha Hoa commune, still cries like a child.

For soldiers carrying the effects of Agent Orange, overcoming life's misfortunes, they find optimism and joy in living to forget the "wounds" of war. For over 30 years, Mrs. Dao Thi An and Mr. Nguyen Van Thang in Zone 9, Ha Hoa commune, have quietly cared for their son, who suffers from the lingering effects of chemical toxins. Although 34 years old, their son remains like a child, only occasionally smiling innocently, his life confined to their small house.

Mr. Thang shared his story: "In 1970, I enlisted in the army and fought in the battlefields of Southern Laos and the Central Highlands. In 1971, I got married and had four children, three daughters and one son. Tragically, my youngest son, born in 1991, was not a normal child; he was intellectually disabled and unable to walk. Only later did I learn about the lingering effects of Agent Orange on my son... But then I thought, I couldn't just sit and dwell on the pain of the past; I had to be strong to be a pillar of support for my wife and children." For the past 34 years, Mr. Thang has actively participated in social work while also dedicating his time to caring for his 34-year-old son.

Every day, Ms. Phung Thi Vien, residing in Zone 4, Phung Nguyen Commune, continues to care for her younger brother who suffers from the effects of Agent Orange.

Sharing the same "Agent Orange pain" as people like Mr. Nhac, Mrs. Tam, Mr. Thang, and Mrs. An is Ms. Phung Thi Vien from Zone 4, Phung Nguyen Commune, a family receiving government assistance. Both her parents have passed away, and Ms. Vien has set aside her own happiness to care for her younger brother, Phung Van Chung, who has been paralyzed and intellectually disabled since childhood due to the lingering effects of Agent Orange from their father. Ms. Vien single-handedly cares for her disabled brother, who at 46 years old is like a child with incomplete physical and mental abilities.

Ms. Vien shared emotionally: "I haven't had a single night of peaceful sleep. I'm always worried that my sister won't be able to sleep, that she'll be in pain, or that she'll need to go to the bathroom... Sometimes I just wish I could have a really deep sleep, to lie down and rest peacefully, but I don't know when that small dream will ever come true..."

Silently enduring the pain of Agent Orange, these women, once fragile, suddenly become strong, for now, they are a source of emotional support, alleviating the suffering of Agent Orange victims during days of changing weather.

In everyday life, mothers, wives, and sisters who tirelessly sacrifice their lives for their husbands, children, and siblings are truly precious. They overcome life's tragedies without complaint. These lives desperately need the care and support of the community to share their burdens and give them renewed motivation and faith in life.

Moc Lam

Source: https://baophutho.vn/tham-lang-sau-noi-dau-da-cam-237518.htm