From a Hospital Bed to a New Livelihood: Mr. Tinh’s Story

Mr. Nguyen Van Tinh, born in 1984, lives in Long Ha Commune, Phu Rieng District, Binh Phuoc Province.

A severe mobility impairment left Mr. Tinh nearly fully paralyzed, unable to stretch or move his own arms and legs, sit up, or change position without help. What weighed on him most was not only the loss of movement, but watching his wife shoulder everything alone — tapping rubber trees all day to support the family, then coming home to care for him. He longed simply to sit up, move around the house, step outside on his own, or find some way to ease her burden.

Mr. Tinh was identified through the Project “Supporting the Improvement of the Quality of Life for People with Disabilities in Provinces Heavily Sprayed with Agent Orange,” implemented by the Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH) with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and local health authorities. A home assessment by VNAH's rehabilitation doctor and technician found that therapy alone would not be enough — he also needed the right assistive devices. The team built a comprehensive plan: a wheelchair for independent movement inside the home, an electric mobility scooter to travel outside, and a multi-purpose hot/cold compress bag to ease pain and support his exercises — paired with ongoing training and regular follow-up visits. Progress came step by step: first sitting up and shifting position on his own, then confidently steering his wheelchair and scooter. Soon he was riding to the market by himself, cooking meals for his family, and eventually selling lottery tickets — earning his own income for the first time since becoming disabled. Today, Mr. Tinh is a familiar, encouraging presence in his community, no longer on its margins but an active participant in it. His recovery has also lifted the load on his wife, giving the family more time, less financial strain, and more laughter at home. As his own health team put it, the devices he received now support nearly everything he does independently each day — going to the market, cooking, and selling tickets to earn a living.