Van Anh - My reason

For those of you who have known me since 2004 you will most certainly have heard me talk about Van Anh. My father first met Van Anh in 2003 at a ceremony for the Handicapped. Van Anh received some small gifts from the People's Committee, but not much more. Van Anh was born with severely disfigured legs, which allowed her legs to bend backwards. Van Anh's family saved their money for surgery for her for many years. Unfortunately the surgery was performed by a Doctor with good intentions, but not the skills necessary.
In 2004 I met Van Anh for the fist time. By this time she was 13 years old and her main form of transportation was her father's back. HSCV and I were still new to Vietnam. Our only official program was the Educational Scholarship Program, and we working on establishing the Rice Distribution Program. Determined to find out how to help Van Anh, we began visiting hospitals and doctors throughout Hanoi. Every doctor gave us a different opinion and solution. It was at this time we learned Van Anh had a hole in her heart that needed to be corrected. This presented a whole new program. Heart surgeons did not want to operate until her legs were fixed, so she could do necessary exercise after her surgery. Orthopedic surgeons did not want to fix her legs because they worried that her heart was not strong enough for the surgery. Thus begin the challenge of creating a communication line between the surgeons on each side. Doctors are very busy in Vietnam and their jobs are very demanding. The number of patients needing surgery is so overwhelming they have little time to work together on one patient. Finally, we were able to convince a rehabilitation specialist to speak to the Heart surgeons. She was able to convince them she would work with Van Anh post surgery and help with exercises that would help strengthen her heart.
During this time I visited Van Anh every time I was in her village. One day her older brother was unable to leave his bed. When I inquired what was wrong with him I learn he had a hole in his heart as well. When I asked them why they didn't tell me about this, they stated that I had been helping one of their children and they didn't want to burden me with another. In late 2004 Thang became our 1st child to receive sponsorship of heart surgery.
Van Anh's heart surgery and recover was a complete success and to this day she has no problems with her heart.
Over the next 3 years we would continue to look for a solution for Van Anh's legs. Early on, the option of amputation was suggested, but this option was an extreme one. Van Anh was seen by the leading orthopedic surgeons in Vietnam, as well as American, German, and French doctors. Each had a different solution for Van Anh. Some of them agreed to do surgery that would not require amputation, only to back out of surgery on the day it was scheduled. Every possibility was examined, but we kept ended up with amputation. In November of 2007 Van Anh was scheduled for amputation to be performed by doctors visiting from America. However, Van Anh and her family were worried the surgery would not give them positive results. Upon hearing this the American doctor backed out of working with Van Anh.
In June of 2008 Van Anh was again was again assessed by American Doctors. At this time Van Anh was given the option of amputation of her right leg above her knee. By this time Van Anh was a young woman and the decision feel completely on her. It wasn't an easy decision and possibly the most difficult she will ever have to make. The next day Van Anh's leg was removed. She remained at the hospital for the next week recovering. She was in a lot of pain and very upset. I was unable to visit her, but she often used her father's phone to send me texts late into the night. For the past 2 months Van Anh has been going to rehabilitation and physical therapy. She is now able to walk on her own with the assistance of a leg brace on her left leg and use of crutches. It's not ideal, but much more freeing than riding around on her father's back at the age of 17.
Today a mold was made of what remains of Van Anh's right leg. Next week Van Anh will receive her first prosthetic leg. Today Van Anh's face was filled with a smile that came from in. The last time I saw her she was depressed and angry. She dropped out of school last year because of the continuous teasing from her class mates.
Today, she had a sparkle in her eye I had not seen for a long time. She can now see all of the possibilities her life holds and is eager to explore them. Van Anh will return to school after she finishes her physical therapy. She wants to study English and Computers.

In 2005 I sent an email to my friends and family explaining to them why Van Anh was my reason. Van Anh has wonderful parents. Her father has never once missed an appointment. He has carried her from appointment to appointment on his back for the last 17 years and he would continue to do the same for the next 17. Her mother has always been right by his side, although she is not always seen. She wakes up early every morning hoping to catch some fish to sell at the local market. Even with incredible parents, without assistance from HSCV she most likely would not be where she is today. In countries such as Vietnam parents often lack the education, knowledge, and money needed to access proper health care to cure their children’s pains. After going down the wrong path once they often give up not knowing there are often alternative routes possible.
Through HSCV I have been given the opportunity to be an advocate for many children. When I wrote the email to my friends and family I had no idea it would be another 3 ½ years before we decided on the best option for Van Anh. Had I known it, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Van Anh continues to be my reason; I have never given up on her after so many had. I will continue to encourage and watch Van Anh evolve.
Helping Van Anh has taught me how to help so many other children. Every path we have gone down together I have since gone down with another child. I’ve learned, giving up is not an option, there is always something out there. Long after I leave Vietnam Van Anh will continue to be my reason. She is the one that taught me that is what I need to do with my life.

Annetta De Vet - HSCV Vice President



A letter from Ms. Van Anh



Ha Noi, 31st July 2008


Dear Sir and Madam,

Today I have an opportunity to write a letter to you, I would like to wish you with a good health. For a long time I have no chance to meet with you. How are you? I wish that you were always healthy, good luck with best wishes.

Dear Sir and Madam, in May, I had my right leg removed, I do not know if you know about it. Honestly, at that time I did not want to have the surgery. I was very worried and concerned what will happen to me in the future. However, after the surgery, I started walking with crutches and after a while I feel more comfortable of walking with it and it helps me to move around easily and I hope that when I have a false leg, I can walk even better. Now, I’m very fine, the surgery is good. You please do not worry for me, just take a good care of yourselves then I am very happy. My thoughts have changed recently; they have become positive I am no longer pessimistic and self-doubting.

Dearest Sir and Madam, I am really very moved and grateful to you and all people who work in the organization help and encourage me so I can have a better life today. I am very lucky to meet with many golden heart people such as you, Ms. Annetta, Ms. Trang, Ms. Chau, Ms. Hanh, Ms. Hang, Mr. Corey and other members of the organization.

In order to thank to your kind hearts, I will try my best to study hard to find a good job in the future and save enough money to buy a ticket for America to visit you and all friends who support me. If my dream becomes true, I will b very happy and proud.

Please let me stop now. I wish you always be healthy and happy.

Your small niece,

Nguyen Thi Van Anh