Thao's first month

Thao has been in America for over a month. It has been a month of many many new experiences some have been difficult, some have been wonderful, and some have been scary.

Thao and her father continue to take each day one at a time as they settle into what will be their life for up to the next two years.

The host family David and Hanh have done a wonderful job making them feel at home and have provided them with a loving environment.

The surgery for her hands has yet to be determined, but Thao has been practicing using her fingers and can now touch her finger to her thumb, which more than the doctors were hoping to give her with the surgery. We're taking this as a very good sign for Thao's future prospects.

Her first surgery for her face is schedule for December 5th. This will be the first step in many where a balloon will be place in her neck and slowly inflated. As it is inflated the skin will expand. The expanded skin will then be used to replace the scarred skin that is now her face. It is incredible to know Thao will one day have a completely new face.

In the meantime Thao and her father have enjoyed getting to know their new home. They enjoy walks in the evenings and have become popular in the neighborhood. Thao has a tendency to be shy around other children, but each time she meets the neighborhood children it gets a little easier.

Hanh has a wonderful garden where Thoa enjoys spending her afternoons. She loves to smell the flowers, listen the wind chimes and watch the bugs.

She has also been busy working on a puzzle, and playing with her new toys.

Thanks to America's "No Child Left Behind" law, we are hoping Thao will be

enrolled in school within the next week or two.

The first month has indeed been a full one.

Pham Trong Sach - Wheelchair

Pham Trong Sach

Long Bien, Hanoi

Eighty-two-year-old Mr Pham is elated to attend the Wheelchair Ceremony. The elderly man spoke with much enthusiasm and sadness as he shared stories about his family and his war experiences.

Mr Pham Trong Sach is a patriotic man who believes in fighting for the freedom of his country. His wife also shared the same passion. Both the husband and wife devoted their lives serving the army to fight for the independence of Vietnam. In 1994, he left his wife and his newborn son to join the army. A year later, his wife followed his footsteps, and left his young baby in the care of their elderly mother.

Wiping the tears from his wrinkled face, Mr Pham shared his memories of his deceased wife and son. His wife was a soldier in Dien Bien Phu battlefield before she was killed while trying to fight at the fort. His son who joined the army at the young age of 18 years old also died at the battlefield.

Today, Mr Pham lives alone in Long Bien District, Hanoi. Despite his painful loss of his beloved ones, he remains optimistic. He was the head of the war veterans and was crowned the model citizen of Long Bien district. However, age has taken its toil and Mr Pham has not been able to move around freely on his own. His limited mobility has prevented him from visiting his friends and relatives, confining him within the walls of his home.
The gift of the wheelchair is especially meaningful and significant for him. He said, “I am so happy to know that I can have this wheelchair for free. It feels like I have struck a big, big lottery. This wheelchair brings new hope and a lease of new life to me. I can go out to see my friends or attend any important meeting of my district. Special thanks to my sponsor for giving me an invaluable gift that will help integrate me back into the society again. Thank you so much!”

MC

Hoang Ha Thu - Wheelchair

Hoang Ha Thu. 21
Hai Ba Trung District, Ha Noi

A motorbike accident in 2003 caused a 17-year-old to become paralysed, changing her life completely. For a young lady, this was a high price to pay. Ha Thu was devastated by her sudden handicap; tears became her only form of relief and consolation.

From an independent child, she became completely reliant on her family members for her daily basic needs, such as bathing and eating. Her mother had to forsake work to stay home to take care of her. Now, she is living with her parents and two younger siblings. As the oldest child in the family, she is unfortunately unable to provide for her family due to her physical limitations.

Though life is hard on this young gal, she is always brave to face these challenges.
Hoang Ha Thu will turn 21 years old this year. Her birthday wishes are simple – To be able to move around on her own, to be a tailor and find a job to help support her family.

The wheelchair makes a great birthday present for her. With this wheelchair comes freedom, independence and mobility. She can finally regain these intangible things that she has lost since the accident and engage in her favourite leisure activities, such as shopping and visiting her friends.

With tears welled up in her eyes, she said, "Today, I feel very happy to come here and receive this wheelchair. I would like to say a big “thank you”, for helping me, and for giving me more will-power and encouragement to live on."

Behind on my blogs

I’ve been back in Hanoi for just over a week. My trip to the States was quick and full. I was able to see Thao on my way back to Hanoi. By that time she had been to see the doctors at Shriners again. The plastic surgeon is very hopeful with the possibilities for her face. However, he believes the treatment will take up to two years if there are no complications. If there are some complications this would add another year to her treatment. The hand surgeons are less confident about her hands, but they do believe they can make some improvements.
The host family and I had a long conversation with Thao and her father about the reality of the situation. It’s going to be a long and difficult two years from them and we wanted to make sure they understood the commitment they need to make to each other to see the process through. Thao has never once flinched at the thought of the process. She is committed to all of the difficulties she is about to incur. There will be times where she will be unable to use her hands, times when she will have to stay in bed, times where she will be unable to run and play and times where she will be homesick for her Country and her family. Mr. Cong is a bit more worried about the difficulties; however he is just as committed to Thao as Thao is committed to herself.
David and Hanh (the host family) have also expressed their commitment to Thao and Cong. They have agreed host them for at least the first year. They have already made many connections in the community for Thao and Cong. There are Vietnamese families in the neighborhood who have stepped up and befriended Thao and Cong. Hanh has also been looking into finding a school for Thao to attend.
This has already been a great adventure for everyone involved and we looking forward to the challenges ahead. If anyone can get us through this it will be Thao herself. She is an amazing girl and someone who should be admired by all that know her.

HSCV has also been busy over the past few week distributing 550 wheelchairs in Hanoi. These wheelchairs are distributed to any person needing one. Please check back shortly for stories of a few of the recipients.

On Saturday October 6, 2007 we had our 3rd annual Fall Fundraiser here in Hanoi. The turnout was amazing as was the support from the local community. The numbers are not in but we more than doubled our proceeds from last year and tripled our attendance. We owe a big thank you to all that volunteered this year and especially to our Coordinator Ms. Alice Martineau. Without her none of this would have come together.
We were fortunate to have a day of sun, after the weeks of rain we had leading up to the event. The children’s activities were full from opening until sun down. The stage was full of energy from the children’s performances and the bands later in the night. The food and drinks stalls all had lines. It was the perfect event! We are so thrilled with all of the support in the lead up on that day! We can’t wait to do it again next year.

Well that’s the basic update for now. I’ll try to get some more stories and photos up shortly.

Annetta