Nhan’s special legs

There runs a sensational story of friendship of Grade 4 students of Tan Hung Elementary School in Tan Hung commune in Bau Bang district. In nearly 1 year, Nguyen Quang Thang, a friend and the special legs of Tong Thien Nhan, is true in school time. We get all the way to Tan Hung Elementary School to learn more about such a story.

Since the first grade, Quang Thang has become the special legs of Thiện Nhân in various activities

Extraordinary determination

On entering this beautiful world, not only did Tong Thien Nhân cry, but his parents also shed tears when they saw their son not being as healthy as other children. In their old and cramped rented house in hamlet 2, Tân Hưng commune, Mr. Tong Xuan Vu, Thien Nhan's father, recalls that six years ago, he and his wife were joyfully preparing everything to welcome their child into the world. But the day Thiện Nhân cried out into the world was also the moment that left the whole family devastated and heartbroken. The little boy's body was frail, weak, and missing both legs. "When Nhân was born, I felt my heart tighten at the sight of my child. My husband and I could only embrace each other and cry for our early unfortunate fate. The prenatal ultrasound results were all normal. How could this happened," said choking Vu with tears.

Until now, the innocent questions from Thiện Nhân such as "why do they have legs but I don't", "why don't my legs look like yours" cut deep into the heart of Mr. Vu and his wife. In moments like these, they could only hold their child close, comforting and soothing away his doubts. The irony was that, with the complete love of their parents and as time goes by, Nhan embraces the imperfections on his body with an optimistic and joyful attitude.

When seeing peers going to school, Nhan also asked his parents to take him to school. The dream of going to school has eased the sadness of his parents. Every day, he goes to school to learn and play with friends to integrate into everyday life. This year, Thien Nhan is in first grade at Tân Hưng Elementary School. In this new school, Thien Nhan has been given more determination by teachers, classmates, and friends to fully enjoy the joy of learning.

Impression on meeting Thien Nhen was that he was a small student with a confident face and a big smile. Due to his physical disability, Nhan's body appears smaller compared to the development of his peers. Nevertheless, Nhan is determined to go to school, overcoming self-consciousness, always optimistic, cheerful, and radiating a smile. Thien Nhan shares: "I am very happy to go to school with my friends, at school everyone helps and loves me. I just wish I could be like my friends so that I can run, jump, and play freely like that." Thien Nhan's one and only wish made us shed tears because we know it is but a dream.

The special legs

Without two legs, at home, Nhan is supported by his parents, and at school, all activities and movements are assisted by a classmate named Nguyen Quang Thang, who volunteers to carry him on his back, acting as Nhan's legs. This friend carries him to class, takes him to eat, takes him to play, and helps Nhan with tasks such as fetching books, pens, or any other things that Nhan needs. And so, the two friends moving forward together have overcome the difficulties. Being present at Tan Hung Elementary School, witnessing the two friends playing together in the schoolyard has deeply touched and impressed us. For nearly a year now, all the teachers and students at Tan Hung Elementary School have become familiar with this beautiful image.

Tong Thien Nhan (right) and his friend Nguyen Quang Thang in a class

In the early days of first grade, Thiện Nhân was accompanied by his father to school, taken to the classroom, and then engaged in daily activities with the help of the teacher and classmates. Teacher Nguyen Thi Thien, the monitoring teacher of class 1/4, stated that throughout the learning period, Thien Nhan encountered difficulties when it came to moving around for English lessons and lunchtime. Seeing the longing in his eyes to go out and play with his friends during playtime, she pondered deeply.

Originally, my students and I took turns supporting Nhan. For a few weeks, Thang, being the tallest in the class, volunteered to be Nhan's legs. At first, I was a little worried about whether Thang would have enough strength and stability to carry Nhan. However, Thang tried his best and became Nhan's companion from the beginning of the school year,” Ms. Thien shared.

Every day, Thang's back is soaked with sweat from carrying his friend at school. "In the beginning, I wasn't used to carrying my friend, so sometimes I felt tired. But now I'm used to it, so I feel normal. I'm really happy that I can help my friend Nhan have fun with us. I just hope that I can accompany and help Nhan even more," Quang Thang smiled and said.

"Nhan and Thang, despite their difficult circumstances, are both diligent students who have overcome challenges in their class. Thang used to be a weak student, but since partnering with Nhan, he has made significant progress in his studies. Aware of their situation, many teachers in the school have shown special care and always find ways to help and encourage them to overcome difficulties and excel academically. The pure friendship between the two is always a source of pride for both teachers and students in the school," added Ms. Thien.

Day by day, Thien Nhan grows up in the loving embrace of his parents, friends, and teachers. That love is the driving force, the joy that helps him forget about his truly different body from others. He is still too young to fully understand the hardships of his life. However, the memories, the love from the days of carrying books to school, and the affection from his daily companion carrying him on their back will be precious assets for Thien Nhan to strive to become a useful citizen for society in the future.

Bidding farewell to Tan Hung Elementary School when the afternoon sun still shines brightly, the pure and innocent smiles of Nhân and Thắng during playtime are still vivid in our minds. Although we know that the road ahead for these two friends will be full of obstacles and challenges, we believe that with their determination to rise above, they will overcome difficulties and fulfill their dreams of a brighter tomorrow.

Reported by Hong Phuong – Translated by Vi Bao