Grade 11 student Pham Van Thong. Photo: Ngan Chi Overcoming adversity In April, the first sunshine of the season is like yellowing in the sky in the idyllic northern countryside. It was past noon, a slender pupil was hurriedly cycling alone in the middle of a deserted road to return to his small house in Che Lead village (Di Che commune, Tien Lu district, Hung Yen), the whole family waiting for rice. The electric bicycle probably had a problem in the middle of the road, so his face was so sweaty. It was the 11th grade student Pham Van Thong (Hung Yen specialized high school, Hung Yen province), but now, when it comes to the whole village below, everyone knows the language and the commendation plate. People admire Thong, not only because, last school year, he was honored to be in the national team of excellent students in Math, but also because, the diligent pupil overcame his family’s adversity towards the future is full of light. Born into a poor family, his father suffers from schizophrenia, his mother suffers from epilepsy since the day he was in school, when Thong was born, everyone worried that he would inherit the disease from his parents. But no, both Thong and his sister currently in grade 6 are very bright and even have remarkable academic achievements. A simple meal of a family of 4. Photo: Ngan Chi From an early age, Thong had an outstanding record in Math. Knowing his family was in difficult, his parents brought many diseases, he never asked his mother to take tutoring, even though his mother advised to take extra classes, the male student still firmly refused. In order to foster his passion for Mathematics, Thong always makes the most of his time for studying, taking advantage of it to explore and exchange more knowledge with teachers and friends after school; the rest, relying on their own initiative and perseverance to conquer difficult content. Just like that, in grade 7, Pham Van Thong won the third prize at district level in Mathematics, in grade 9, won the consolation prize at district level in Mathematics. In the 10th grade entrance exam, the male student excellently passed the Math class of Hung Yen High School, ranked 4th in the whole school. In particular, by the beginning of the 11th grade year (August 2020), Thong was honored to be 1 of 6 math students in the national excellent student team. The day of receiving the congratulatory letter from the Director of the Department of Education and Training of Hung Yen province when Thong was admitted to the team of excellent students in National Mathematics, the mother was happy to shed tears because her son had high achievements in studying, and his father still “Indifferent” for not knowing what it is. Although later, sad to hear that I have not been accepted, but with the spirit of optimism, “do not falter”, Thong affirms: “Since I have not tried my best, this year, I am practicing. Trung rehearsed for the next attempt “. After school, Usually help parents with housework. Photo: Ngan Chi Love can be foolish at times, but always treasured Thong’s parents – Ms. Hoang Thi Quy (44 years old) and Pham Van Hinh (50 years old, known by villagers as “Hinh Tons”) have been married for 19 years. Their home is from two pieces of match matchmaking, which have no love, but become happiness. Ms. Quy from a girl who is considered “too old to miss” because she is ill-tempered and does not dare to love anyone, has found a family. Anh Hinh from a naive man, “does not know what to do, does not listen to anyone”, after getting married, began to “understand” again. Ms. Quy patiently taught him from farming to housework, it all started from zero. After the meal, the younger sister and her father feed the chickens. Photo: Ngan Chi Gradually, he also knew the job. “At first you didn’t know what to do, I just had to go with it to show it personally. Initially, when he pulled the seedlings, he pulled the grass. Then, his wife showed how to distinguish the seedlings from the grass, how to push the seedlings when transplanted, to stand and slap the water properly. Ordinary people can pick up 5 plots a day, and he only gets 1 piece. Ordinary people can pull 100 seedlings a day, and he only gets 30 bunches of seedlings. Ordinary people get the whole pole every day, he only gets 2 pieces, but more than he can not help anything. Then comes the housework like cooking, I also have to show him how to measure the water level with my knuckles, the meal is so dull, the meal is awkward but gradually getting used to it ”- she shared. Just like that, the small house every day adds a happy part. The outsider said that he may not be sure that Mr. Hinh has heard it, but his wife told him that he was uneasy. Mr. Pham Van Hinh and Ms. Hoang Thi Quy. Photo: Ngan Chi In the past few years, “Hinh Teo” has gotten faster every day, even shows that his children are good at studying with their neighbors and relatives, they have known to give up delicious food to their children during the meal, so far it is time to take care of meals. water for his wife, even able to sign his own name taught by his wife even though he is illiterate … Only he could not count more than 10 numbers and could not spend money. The man had just picked a handful of morning glory from the field, started to prepare lunch, his mouth kept showing off “there is an older son who studies very well, many certificates of merit but not sure what subject, who praised” … After all, boys, he mentioned his daughter, “he doesn’t study as much as his brother, but he is quite good” – he laughed after saying that. Rice just cooked, Ms. Quy also drove the car of Cup 82 to the yard. Currently, the whole family depends on her salary as a construction worker, 200,000 VND / day. Poor health, not used to heavy work, just building the car, the woman hurriedly sat down on the steps, breathless. She said: “The illness itself has been in remission for several years now, and my illness is still the same, I try to buy more health insurance for the couple to keep away, the rest will invest. for you… ”. Waiting for the two children to come home from school, the whole family gathered around a simple tray of rice in the 4th grade house with only a plate of boiled water spinach, a bowl of water and a few pieces of simmered sausages. Finished meal, Ms. Quy took advantage of the nap and then went to work. Anh Hinh and his daughter feed the chickens, and the son is also nimble at cleaning the dishes. Not only did he study well, Thong and his sister were both good children, after every hour at school, when they returned home, the two brothers helped their parents manage the housework, and rarely went out to play. The house was more than 10 km away from the school, at first Thong asked his mother to ride a bicycle, but thought that the long way, the children went to school hard, relatives helped to buy him an electric bicycle. The house was far away, many days in the afternoon shift, Thong brought a pair of rice cages to school to eat. As a son, but Thong does not care about anything, after school he goes to the pond to help his mother wash vegetables, partly because he wants to watch because he is afraid of his mother falling. When they got older, the two brothers never demanded that their parents buy new furniture or buy new clothes. Congratulation letter from the Director of the Department of Education and Training of Hung Yen province. Photo: Ngan Chi Referring to “whether their parents are sick, do you hesitate to talk to friends?” Thong said: “I have never been ashamed of my parents. There are new parents with you today. I am proud of my family. I love my parents so much, when I grow up, I will take care of them ”. Anyone who asked about his dream, student Pham Van Thong immediately said he would “be a doctor” to be able to take care of his parents. And in the short term, Thong hopes that he will pass the exam to the Military Medical Academy because it can reduce the burden of school fees to pay for his family. Life has linked two people, though not perfect, but has created a perfect and happy family. Although they do not know what love is, but for the past 19 years, brothers and sisters have treated each other with the most sincere and deepest feelings. The beautiful end of the love story is that the children are obedient and well-educated. The mother wishes her son to pass university and pursue a favorite job to escape the village of bamboo – something she and her husband have never dared to think of before.

The girl innocently went through many harsh events of fate.

Challenge of fate

Born in 1999 in Hoang Chau commune (Cat Hai island district, Hai Phong), fishermen’s parents are fishermen day and night, often stay away for a month, since the age of 1, Phuong has lived with his grandmother and uncle. . When Phuong was 8 years old, his older brother was 16 years old, his parents were permanently away from the sea once. Phuong was brought up by her uncle, then raised by her grandmother.

During her childhood years, her grandmother and her whole family were the people who always stood by Phuong. Until Phuong entered 10th grade, her grandmother also passed away due to serious illness.

The pain of losing her has not ceased, in 2016, while in grade 11, a terrible accident struck, Phuong broke his left leg, his right arm was crushed so he had to have surgery to remove it. The body and mind are both hurt, the mentality of the 16-year-old girl is unsteady, unsteady and uncertain. There was a time when Phuong was depressed and wanted to give up all.

“At that time, I thought I had nothing to lose, the people I loved most had left, and this was what happened to me. The last moon is also composed, then die for everyone to be less miserable ”, Phuong recounted the saddest, most desperate moment.

Can’t give up

During the long treatment at the hospital, when she was calmer, Phuong “enlightened”: “If heaven has been challenged, he cannot surrender”.

Looking at the situation of the people in the same hospital room, she felt that she was still luckier than many people, because there were family members trying to cure her; I am still young, I can still try.

Not surrendering to the test of fate, the young girl began a series of days of struggle to overcome both physical and mental pain. In the hospital for 18 days, undergoing painful treatments, facing the pitiful eyes of the world, Phuong accepted the truth: his life from now on has only one arm left.

Being right-handed, now losing that arm, Phuong has to learn how to do things with his left hand to adapt to the situation. She gets used to all activities and practice writing, determined to continue going to school.

After leaving the hospital, Phuong persistently practiced writing and daily activities with his left hand.

Working with your left hand is difficult, practicing writing with your left hand is even more difficult. Many nights, her arm seems numb, the hand in pain can no longer hold a pen, but, determined to “learn a new person, learn a strong new one”, Phuong is even more determined to return to the classroom, even though she has to undergo through many difficulties ahead.

“When I first got back to school, I just wanted to cry, cry because of the intense hand pain, cry because the writing was not fast to catch up with my friends. When I finished crying, I tried to practice again because I couldn’t just take it.” Body defect is the reason to be lazy “- Phuong shared.

Sometimes, Phuong feels inferior in the eyes of people with disabilities, but with her strongest will, she persists in her study path to prove to everyone that she is not a useless person, no. surrender to fate.

Once a student who specializes in exams with clean words, Phuong tried her best to practice writing with his left hand, determined not to quit school after losing his right hand in an accident.

Then, Phuong graduated from Cat Hai High School. The young girl who has adopted the dream of becoming a pharmacist with the desire to alleviate the pain for the patient should choose the pharmacy major of Ha Dong Medical College to suit her academic capacity and ability to meet her future job.

“When I first studied, I felt sorry for myself and at times was discouraged. I have to bear the scrutiny of everyone, trying to mingle with you. Furthermore, many practical lessons have to be done with two hands, since there is only one side left, so I have to work twice as hard as the others …

However, pursuing a dream is the greatest joy. The most memorable memory is the direct participation in the preparation of drugs, I have the experience of feeling like a real pharmacist, encouraged by teachers and friends to overcome all difficulties. At that time, I was sure that studying pharmacy was the right choice, “said Phuong, about the challenging student days with both pensive and proud feelings.

Currently, Phuong graduated from Ha Dong Medical College after 3 years studying and is working in a pharmacy in Hanoi.

Graduating from a college in pharmacy since November 2020, Phuong is currently working for a pharmacy in Hanoi.

Want to live not just for yourself

“Currently, my daily life or work is done quite well with my left hand, no longer hurts. I’m happy that everyone around me looks at me like a normal person, not a disabled person. “, Phuong said.

Sharing about her future plans, Phuong wishes to participate in more volunteer projects to help the children who have had an unlucky fate.

Thanh Phuong participates in volunteer activities, helping children at Tan Trieu K Hospital with Hoa Uu Dam Club and students from Ha Dong Medical College.

“That pretty girl laughs very often. Through many times of losing loved ones and having such serious accidents, Phuong has surpassed all with energy and bravery. Not everyone is determined enough to reach out.” In my opinion, she is very good, admirable! “, Mrs. Hoan – Phuong’s neighbor emotionally shared.

Looking back on past events, Thanh Phuong re-contemplates life with very optimistic thoughts: “After all, I see more than I lost. When I was so tired, wanted to give up, I thought, gave up.” That is a waste of “work” that parents have sacrificed. Thinking that the destination is ahead, coming to the destination, the positive energy will come and will definitely succeed. If it is sunny, the stormy day will turn blue. If there is only one life to live, I want to live not only for myself “.