Mr. Do Trung Thanh was born with severe scoliosis and congenital cerebral palsy, resulting in extreme mobility impairments. At 44 years of age, he has spent his entire life unable to care for himself, completely dependent on his parents.
Thanh's seemingly modest wish—to journey from his home to the nearby pagoda to pray—remains out of reach due to the limitations of the unsuitable iron frame he spends each day in.
Persons with disabilities in Vietnam face several barriers to improving their lives, including limited access to rehabilitation and health care services, economic opportunities, social stigma, and inadequate policies supporting disability rights. These challenges are further compounded by the limited availability of modern, appropriate assistive devices essential for self-sufficiency.
For over 30 years, Ms. Nguyen Anh Chi has been working to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. “While working as a teacher at a university, I had many opportunities to interact with and meet persons with disabilities, but I have been officially providing community-based rehabilitation service support to persons with disabilities under a national program since 1987,” recounts Chi about her long career in physical therapy.
Since 2015, Chi has worked with long-time USAID partner Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped, which implements USAID’s Disability Rights Enforcement, Coordination and Therapies activity. For the past 10 years, the project has expanded opportunities for persons with disabilities in Vietnam by improving access to services and strengthening advocacy for this population. One of Chi’s responsibilities is to meet with beneficiaries and their families and spend time with them to assess their specific needs using WHO Disability guidelines. She looks at their lives in a holistic way, taking into account more than just their health.
“This assessment differs from previous health evaluations, which focused solely on physical health. Our current approach examines functional abilities, environmental barriers, and the aspirations of persons with disabilities. This helps us identify their specific needs and challenges that they face.” - Ms. Nguyen Anh Chi
She pays close attention to their living conditions — where they sleep, where they live, and access to hygienic facilities. Drawing on her years of experience, as well as her team of experts, she sketches out a concept for an assistive device.
“Before USAID met with Thanh, he had received interventions, but none provided a suitable solution to improve his daily activities,” says Chi. She continues, “When meeting with someone, you need to assess whether their current assistive device is suitable or if the equipment can be modified. Then I reach out to Tuan at Phana.”
Mr. Nguyen Dien Tuan is the Vice Director of Phana, a family-run business started in 1992 by his father and mother, which designs and produces assistive technology for persons with disabilities. He works closely with Chi to provide life-changing devices, so that clients can live dignified lives.
Tuan reviewed Chi’s sketches and assessments of Thanh and they collaborated on solutions to his challenging situation — should it have wheels, what material should it be made from, and what safety considerations are there?
During this process their teams discuss the best way to address the equipment's purpose. In some cases they are able to adapt a preexisting product to the client, other times they must design and build a completely new device.
In Thanh’s case, they are able to adapt a current product to meet his needs. The assistive device is made from sturdy stainless steel, can be adjusted for comfort, and has wheels so that Thanh can safely leave his house. Before use, tests are conducted as Chi evaluates the suitability of the new assistive device.
“We will always try our best to make a device that supports the daily functions of a person with disability, and at the same time, making it easier for the caregiver.” - Mr. Nguyen Dien Tuan
Chi takes part in the delivery of the assistive device to monitor its first set up and use. Upon receiving it there were some initial adjustments and then Thanh quickly requested to fulfill his goal of visiting the pagoda. Thanh’s parents, overjoyed, accompanied him.
“We will always try our best to make a device that supports the daily functions of a person with disability, and at the same time, making it easier for the caregiver.” - Mr. Nguyen Dien Tuan
Chi takes part in the delivery of the assistive device to monitor its first set up and use. Upon receiving it there were some initial adjustments and then Thanh quickly requested to fulfill his goal of visiting the pagoda. Thanh’s parents, overjoyed, accompanied him.
Thanh’s assistive device is just one of 7,500 that have been provided by USAID through the project to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities and caregivers. Over the last 30 years, the U.S. Government has contributed more than $155 million in assistance to persons with disabilities in Vietnam, to overcome barriers and improve the quality of life of over one million persons, improving rehabilitation and social services, and strengthening policies supporting disability rights. This work contributes to both countries’ efforts to overcome war legacies, strengthen the bilateral partnership, and deliver on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our two countries.
Credits:
Words: Benjamin Ilka Photos: Benjamin Ilka & Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped