“Drawing” life on damaged legs

Is adversity the catalyst to awaken their desire to rise up, their will to live, and to inspire positive change in their lives and fates?

1. It has been more than 10 years since I had the opportunity to visit Nguyen Thuan Tung (Ea Hu commune, Cu Kuin district). Still with a determined gaze, a smile on his lips, a face that is a bit older than before, but his figure has not changed, still small, sitting in a wheelchair. Mr. Tung is less than 80 cm tall, weighs 18 kg.

Tung's story is a beautiful story about the desire to live a meaningful life, but it is not easy. No one would have thought that a boy who just sat still could learn to read and write by himself, explore and rely on technology to make a living. And now, he is a director, has his own company and owns several... red books.

Mr. Nguyen Thuan Tung is proficient in using smartphones.

Tung was born in 1994. The after-effects of Agent Orange have made his legs atrophied, small and short, making it impossible for him to stand up. Every time he wants to turn over, Tung can only use all his strength to roll over or ask his relatives for help. In addition, his body often gets sick, and his arms and legs are easily broken. Not surrendering to fate, in adversity, the journey he chooses is to always move forward despite all obstacles and hardships to take control of his life, rebuilding his life through his own efforts.

Not being able to go to school, Tung was determined to learn to read and write, that was the only way to help him change his fate, so as not to be a burden to his family. Having a love for music , he started learning to read and write by listening to music, memorizing music and turning on karaoke... singing. Following the lyrics he had memorized and looking at the letters running on the screen, from there he tried to "translate" how to remember the letters. After that, books, then phones, computers with Internet connection were the doors for Tung to come into contact with technology, opening up a new horizon, changing his life.

Once he had mastered the operations, Tung began to learn how to print and design websites. After a short time, he opened a small printing and advertising shop at home, starting to earn income from his own labor. Tung also worked as a collaborator selling SIM cards and phone cards for Viettel network. To make his business more convenient, he bought a wheelchair, used an electric charger and installed software that controlled by phone operations to act as his "legs".

Being able to move, he opened additional services such as money collection, money transfer, and withdrawal via ATM accounts provided by Viettel. Taking advantage of the power of social networks, he also sold technology products on e-commerce platforms. There were times when the little boss worked day and night and still... couldn't finish his work.

Having created his own reputation and brand, in 2023 Tung decided to establish Thuan Tung Trading and Service Company Limited, owned by himself, to provide more services following digital trends.

Tung shared: “There was a time when I thought about death. But when I put aside negative thoughts, I was determined to study and work, to see that I was not useless. I constantly tried to reduce the burden on my parents and improve the family economy .”

2. At the Dak Lak Province Social Protection Center, Mr. Dang Van Long (born in 1979) is an inspiration and motivation for the less fortunate people here.

Witnessing his hands slowly and painfully turning his wrists, moving his fingers to adjust the phone to text and send pictures, I realized that things that seem simple to normal people are not easy for people with disabilities.

Long was born with a different appearance, with cramped hands, legs that could not stand up on their own, and difficulty in expressing language and communication. Life seemed to only silently and dullly lead Long through the days.

Mr. Dang Van Long is taking advantage of social networks to do online business.

In 2004, he was admitted to the Provincial Social Protection Center. Living here, Mr. Long officially opened his heart and interacted with the outside world thanks to a computer with an Internet connection, then a smartphone. It was from 2019 that he learned how to use technology, and with the guidance and support of the Center's staff, he learned about online business. This was both a trend and suitable for his current situation. When his operations gradually became more proficient, Mr. Long registered accounts on Facebook, TikTok channels... to become a collaborator selling medicinal plants, cosmetics, cars, and real estate. Unable to travel, and even more unable to express himself verbally, all business activities were done on smartphones by posting pictures and texting, yet he transacted with customers across the country.

Technology has become a powerful assistant, changing his life, helping Mr. Long earn more income and confidently integrate into the community. Every month, he earns from several hundred to several million VND. Mr. Long shared that he cherishes every income he has, because it is not simply self-made money but also makes him feel valuable.

In the flow of time, each person has a destiny, a way of making a living. Digital technology has created many opportunities to fuel their passion, creativity, and reduce their difficulties and hardships. Although their bodies are not healthy, they make constant efforts to bring values ​​to this life, and also to show us how dynamic and self-respecting they are.

Tram Anh

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202505/ve-lai-cuoc-doi-tren-doi-chan-khong-lanh-lan-4431c3d/