Nguyen Thi Cam Nhung: A Story of Resilience

Nguyen Thi Cam Nhung, born in 1982 in Nam Dan district of Nghe An province, faced a life-altering challenge at the age of six when a spinal cord inflammation left her paralyzed. Since that time, she has relied on a wheelchair for mobility.

Her parents, both veterans of the anti-American resistance, struggled with financial difficulties after leaving the military, yet they prioritized Nhung’s healthcare. Despite a decade of medical consultations and treatments, they ultimately had to accept her condition as it was.

One of Nhung’s greatest struggles during her childhood was coming to terms with her disability and handling the curious glances of those around her, which at times led her to feelings of despair.

Nevertheless, her desire for education remained strong, as she viewed school as a pathway to joy and fulfillment.

Initially, her aspirations for schooling were met with skepticism; however, she was determined to seize every opportunity to learn and acquire new knowledge.

While in high school, she discovered a training program in informatics designed for individuals with disabilities and made the bold decision to relocate from Nghe An to Hanoi to pursue this opportunity, motivated by her dreams of achieving independence.

Nhung yearned to push boundaries in her life, seeking personal development and the chance to enhance both her academic knowledge and social skills.

Fully aware of the challenges of living independently, she pressed on, determined not to be a burden on her family or society.

With tenacity and support from her peers and instructors, she found stability. Balancing her studies with work, she crafted artificial flowers and paper products to support her educational expenses.

After completing her training, Nhung returned home but struggled to find employment. She eventually returned to Hanoi, engaging in various activities for the disabled, such as joining an arts club where she created recycled crafts.

Her early experiences led her to develop handicrafts, and over time, she cultivated a practice of repurposing old and discarded clothing into useful items.

This creative work not only helped her financially but also provided her with happiness and fulfillment.

In Hanoi, Nhung became a member of the Disabled Women’s Club and the Crochet House, where she collaborated on a project that involved donating old clothing. Members creatively transformed discarded items into appealing products, reducing waste while generating income for the disabled community.

As part of various media initiatives, Nhung expressed her advocacy through painting, photography, writing articles, and creating films focusing on environmental conservation. Acknowledging the health risks associated with pollution, she began collecting materials to recycle into valuable products.

However, life presented further challenges when, in August 2022, Nhung was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. In early 2023, her mother received a similar diagnosis.

While undergoing treatment, she recognized the link between pollution and various health issues, including cancer. In response, she founded ‘Cham Sang Tao Xanh’ (Green Creative Touch), a campaign aimed at raising awareness about environmental protection and the reduction of plastic waste, which contributes to illnesses.

Currently receiving care at the Hanoi University of Medicine, Nhung, along with her fellow members from the Ha Dong District Disabled Women’s Club, is working to create a model for crafting recycled products using cotton fibers, wool, and fabric scraps.

Nhung hopes to secure funds for her ongoing treatment and to advance her initiative focused on crafting flowers from recycled materials.