Right in the heart of Da Nang, many people with disabilities work hard every day. Not only do they achieve economic independence, but they also create jobs and help others stabilise their lives. Their inspiring stories reflect the willpower and aspirations to overcome challenges.

Family is always a strong spiritual support, helping Mrs. Giang to overcome the difficulties caused by her disability. Photo: ANH THAO

"As long as you don't give up, there will be a way to continue"

In the heart of the bustling streets, there is a small but cozy coffee shop where Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hai Giang, a resident of Chinh Gian Ward, Thanh Khe District, shares her passion and her inspiring journey of willpower and resilience in the face of life's challenges.

Before she turned two, Mrs. Giang suffered from a terrible polio fever, which left her legs unable to move. After extensive treatment, she learned to walk again, although not as normally as other children. Determined to pursue her education, she diligently studied in hopes of becoming independent.

Upon graduating from senior high school, she ventured into studying pharmacy and information technology in search of a stable job. In the early days after graduation, she applied to various hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, but each application was met with polite refusals "Please wait for the next recruitment round!". Over time, the reason gradually became a a familiar phrase that she had to accept.

However, with assistance from the Da Nang Association for the Disabled, she received a new opportunity as a receptionist at an advertising company. Eventually, she got married and had children, temporarily putting her career on hold to care for her growing family. After the birth of her second child, Giang decided to embark on a new adventure by opening her own coffee shop.

Initially, her family worried that she would have a hard time and not be able to manage. But she was accustomed to challenges, and used to having to work harder than others. Therefore, she persistently convinced them, and proved that she could do it.

“The small coffee shop was born-not a grand model, but it was a place where I put all my heart and soul. I balanced taking care of my children while making cups of coffee filled with love and respect for life. The important lesson I learned is that as long as I don’t give up, there will always be a way to move forward” Nguyen Thi Hai Giang confided.

With the nature of his job and the spirit of living "disabled but not useless", Mr. Quyen always strives to learn and update new knowledge every day to improve his skills in motorbike repair. Photo: THU HUONG

Physically handicapped but not mentally disabled

Like Mrs. Giang, Pham Ba Quyen (born in 1989 in Hoa Hiep Bac Ward, Lien Chieu District) had a childhood that might have been uneventful like any other, if not for a serious incident when he was just two years old. After a severe car accident, he was fortunate to survive but was left with only 61% of his health and the risk of permanent disability in his left leg.

Mr. Quyen recalled that, to get to class on time, he had to start his day at 5 am, placing his sandals on the handlebars of his bike and pedaling tirelessly along the same routes throughout his school years. Despite the challenges he faced, his pursuit of education remained steadfast. After graduating from senior high school, he continued his studies at college and university, exploring various fields ranging from information technology to software repair.

Due to his family’s financial struggles and the difficulties he encountered in finding employment because of his health issues, Mr. Quyen made the decision to take over the family’s motorbike repair shop. This choice was motivated by his desire to support his younger brother’s education. In 2009, his father passed away from cancer, leaving Quyen to shoulder the responsibility of making a living, caring for his mother, and sending his younger brother to university, all while relying solely on the income from the motorbike repair shop that his father had left behind.

These difficult years have "tempered" him with a resilient spirit. For more than 15 years, through hard work, dedication and daily savings, Mr. Pham Ba Quyen's motorbike repair shop on Nguyen Van Cu Street has expanded to ​​nearly 600m². Not only has he stabilised his life, he has also created jobs for those looking to learn the motorbike repair profession.

Mr. Quyen is a typical example of the spirit of "disabled but not useless". From 2010 to 2024, he and his teammates have achieved remarkable success at the National Sports Games for the Disabled. Mr. Quyen is currently planning to expand his motorbike repair shop with the goal of not only repairing regular motorbikes but also producing three-wheeled motorbikes specifically designed for disabled individuals in the community.

Ms. Dang Huong Giang, Vice President of the Da Nang Association of the Disabled, reported that the association has coordinated with various agencies to implement numerous practical programmes aimed at improving skills and knowledge for the disabled. This includes initiatives such as job connections, legal aid consultations, and support for preferential loans to promote economic development, all contributing to enhancing the quality of life for disabled individuals.

In the future, the municipal Association for the Disabled will continue to maintain and enhance its activities aimed at caring for and providing comprehensive support for the disabled. This effort contributes to improving both the economic and spiritual well-being of people with disabilities and works toward a society where no one is left behind.

Reporting by A.THAO, T.HUONG - Translating by M.DUNG