Instilling resilience and hope in people with disabilities

Wearing a bright yellow dress, with her left hand holding a walking stick, Nguyen Thi Huong (57 years old, Long Thuy 3 quarter, Phuoc Long ward, Dong Nai province) slowly stepped down from a car (driven by her husband) and walked into the meeting room of the Phuoc Long Club of Families with Persons with Disabilities (Phuoc Long CFPWD), where she serves as chairwoman. More than a dozen members who had arrived earlier cheerfully welcomed their “leader”. The atmosphere of the club’s regular August 2025 meeting quickly became lively.

At the age of 4, after prolonged fevers, Huong unfortunately became paralyzed in her left leg. However, her strong will and faith in life motivated her to overcome adversity. Importantly, she has also empowered others facing similar hardships, helping them overcome feelings of inferiority and self-doubt, and build better lives.

Overcoming adversity

Since childhood, Huong was diligent and excelled in her studies. After graduating from high school, due to her fragile health, her family decided to enroll her in a typing course. She was later employed at a state agency in Phuoc Long town, former Binh Phuoc province. During her career, in order to meet job requirements, she continued her education and earned a bachelor’s degree in economic law. Throughout her working years, Huong consistently demonstrated remarkable resilience, earning the respect and admiration of many. She recently retired under the official retirement scheme.

Nguyen Thi Huong and leaders of the Phuoc Binh ward Women’s Union visit and give gifts to a local member with disabilities who suffers an accident. Photo: Quang Minh

Her optimism and zest for life, combined with the joy she found in work, led Huong to cooking services as a faithful opportunity. Her family meals, constantly refreshed with new dishes, creative preparations, and attractive presentation, received praise from many, encouraging her to start a catering service in her spare time. She began serving neighbors and colleagues, gradually expanding her business.

Huong shared that she only designs the menus and seasons the food, while the remaining work is done by employees, most of whom are local women without regular jobs in the neighborhood. Seeing her determination, many came to place orders to support her. The growing customer base motivated Huong to keep innovating in menu design, allowing her catering service to expand steadily. As a result, her family economy becomes increasingly stable, and those involved in her cooking service also enjoy regular work and increased incomes.

For Huong, the greatest fortune is having a husband who always loves and supports her. Since Nguyen Duc Trong (her husband) retired, their family’s catering service has gained another mainstay. Trong fully supports his wife, willingly driving to transport cooking equipment, shopping for ingredients, and even working with her in the kitchen. “I know better than anyone about my wife’s willpower and resilience, so I want to contribute and give her more motivation to work and contribute to both family and society” - Trong said.

“Phuoc Long Club of Families with Persons with Disabilities, chaired by Huong, operates in both Phuoc Long and Phuoc Binh wards, Dong Nai province, with 24 members. Its activities carry deep humanitarian meaning, encouraging optimism, self-confidence, and independence, and helping people with disabilities integrate into the community. As chairwoman, Huong has done a good job of inspiring and empowering the members.”

TRAN THI THU LANH, Vice Chairwoman of the Phuoc Binh ward Women’s Union

Inspiring resilience

Huong’s relentless determination has been rewarded with a happy family with solid financial stability. She and her husband own a home in the center of Phuoc Long ward, a car, and many valuable household amenities. Their two children (a son and a daughter) are both university graduates with stable jobs and incomes.

Not living only for herself, in 2017, when recognizing there were many people with disabilities in the former Phuoc Long town, she proposed that the town’s Women’s Union establish Phuoc Long Club of Families with Persons with Disabilities, with her serving as chairwoman. The purpose was to create opportunities for people with disabilities to connect, learn, overcome inferiority, and support each other in building economic models suited to their health and circumstances, striving for meaningful lives.

Le Thi Kim Phuong, a resident from Phuoc Loc quarter, Phuoc Long ward, and a club member, said: “Previously, the biggest barrier for our members was low self-esteem. We didn’t dare step outside, meet others, or interact socially, living withdrawn lives. Since joining the club, thanks to Huong’s encouragement and motivation, and having friends to share with, we have become more confident.”

Ho Thi Hong An, a resident from quarter 7, Phuoc Binh ward, also shared: “The club has long been our common home, and Huong is like our elder sister, our spiritual leader. Over the years, the club has participated in cultural, artistic, and sports activities for people with disabilities at various levels. We often receive attention, encouragement, and gifts during holidays and Tet. Thanks to this, we feel very happy and increasingly strive to live more positively and joyfully”.

By: Quang Minh

Translated by: Minh Hanh – Thu Ha