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Greetings from Vietnam. I have been here for a few days and am remiss in writing. Much is unfolding in my heart and hearts of so many. I will update more on my current trip in the days that follow.
Today's journal is written by Karla DeSimone on a recent trip she took. Her love and commitment to GIBTK is .....well I cant find the word to express it. I often call Karla the historian of gibtk. She knows names dates times of kids and events. She has spent years mentoring girls in Danang. Ok enough before I get overly emotional. Ok too late. My eyes are full of tears of gratitude for this very special woman of God!
A Wheelchair, one Great Smile and a Decade
A decade ago, I attended my first wheelchair distribution. Many of the recipients shared how they waited years to receive their wheelchair. To this day, that statement is still an assault to my logical mind. How could someone in need of a wheelchair wait years to receive one? In the US a wheelchair is a necessity, not a luxury. Thanks to the vision and partnership of Don Schoendorfer and his foundation, Free Wheelchair Mission, GIBTK has distributed nearly 150,000 wheelchairs in Viet Nam! It was at one of those early wheelchair distributions my family and I met Trung and now a decade later, Trung is 22. One thing that has not changed in 10 years is Trung's smile.
Thanks to the GIBTK staff, I have gratefully been able to keep in touch with Trung and visit him each time I return to Viet Nam. Hieu skillfully manages the wheelchair program for Giving it Back to Kids and he kindly always accommodates a distribution during my visits. This trip, I asked GIBTK staff member, Nam, if Trung would like to accompany Hieu and me to distribute a wheelchair. Nam checked with Trung, who readily agreed and we made our plans for Friday. As we drove in a cab to the home of the wheelchair recipient, Hieu translated for us so that Trung and I could catch up. As we were talking, the cab driver was listening. At some point in the conversation, the cab driver began to speak with Hieu. The cab driver told Hieu that he was so inspired by the wheelchair distribution program and my relationship with Trung that he asked to accept only half of his fare for driving us to the distribution. I was so touched by his generosity that my eyes filled up with tears. I believe this confirms that when people see true generosity in action, they too want to participate. Upon the arrival at the home of the wheelchair participant, our cab driver... and now new friend carried the box with the wheelchair right up to the home... stayed with us during the interview... and even helped Hieu assemble the wheelchair!
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| Cab driver assisting Trung and Hieu |
Our wheelchair recipient's name is Giao. When we arrived at his home I inquired if it was okay to ask him and his wife a few questions. Giao nodded yes. After brief introductions, we learned Giao was 65, and had been a farmer before his stroke 3 years earlier. Giao was an accomplished woodcarver and pointed to the lovely piece of furniture in their home that he had personally carved. However, for the past three years since Giao's stroke, he had been confined to his home and bed. His one side is weak and he told me he is no longer able to carve wood or farm. Giao also shared that he applied for a wheelchair three years earlier. Worse yet, Giao's wife Doan, 61, also had health problems. To help pay for their treatments, they sold a piece of land in front of their home to make ends meet. Doan shared that it is difficult for her to lift and move Giao and this chair will be very helpful to her. As I have often learned, the wheelchair not only helps the recipient, but the caregiver as well. As we continued our interview, tears fell from Giao's eyes. I got up to hug him and as I hugged him... I believe I felt relief. Relief for finally receiving a wheelchair and also relief for his wife in providing his care.
Over the years, I am continually fascinated watching Hieu assemble the wheelchair. I also eagerly listen as Hieu provides each recipient with the necessary details on the use and care of the chair. Hieu makes it so personal with the recipient... so caring. But truth be told... my favorite part is seeing the recipient experience their new found freedom while test driving their wheelchair for the first time!
After some photos and goodbyes, we were back on the road to Da Nang. Conversation flowed easily as the cabdriver, Hieu, Trung and I recollected our morning. Trung and I were dropped off to meet Nam for lunch. Again, I gratefully thanked our cabdriver for his kindness, care, and participation.
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| Trung, Cab driver, local official and Giao |
As Trung and I approached our table at the restaurant, Trung pulled out my chair for me to sit down. As a Mom of sons, I just beamed. I told him how proud of him I am and how happy I am to see him now ten years later... a grown man with such a good heart. I am so grateful for the help the GIBTK team provides me not only when I am in Viet Nam, but also throughout the year with translating letters for me. It allows me to develop bonds that will never break.
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| Trung and Karla (aka proud momma!) . |
When I return to the US, people often ask me what is the hardest thing to adjust to when I get back to the states... "Is it the time difference?" I say, "No, not the time difference.... the hardest thing for me to adjust to is NOT pausing for someone to translate for me after I talk"!
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