This story comes from our dear friend Robert K of Bring it Back to Kids in Viet Nam:

Having suffered from inborn bandy legs for 58 years, Le Van always felt shameful when being asked about married life. “Who would marry a bandy-legged man like me, I am familiar with single life.”  He is now living with his older brother who is married with three children.

When the winter comes, both his legs become painful and he can barely walk one step. “I do not want to ask my brother and nieces for a help, they have to study, have to work to earn for a living, I do not want to be a burden on them.  I like to do things all by my self.” However, he sometimes still needs help from his relatives, especially when he wants to visit neighbors and relatives, or play chess with friends. “I always need someone to lead me by my side whenever I have to travel for a long distance, I can not take a long walk.”

Though being disabled, every day he wanders around the village, hoping to be hired to do something, anything, to earn a little money for daily bread. “It is very undependable.  When no one has the need for me, that day I have nothing for the meals and I depend on my brother.  Sometimes my neighbors ask me to go buy things for them.  Then I need speed, I need a wheelchair to roll.”

On the day of the Wheelchair Distribution, he was thrilled and wanted to express his happiness to everyone. “From now on, I can travel more comfortably in my village to be hired much more and I can support myself.”  Le Van climbed into his wheelchair and rolled home himself with his strong hands.