"What worries me the most is a traffic accident! How I could live my life if I am blind and also disabled."
Mr. Vo Quy, born in 1964, was working at a press agency in Hanoi.
However, an unexpected incident occurred…
In 2000, due to severe nearsightedness that had caused a retinal
detachment, Quy suddenly lost his sight.
It's like walking on top of a mountain, then suddenly seeing nothing and falling off the cliff. That feeling is like falling down with no end and having no idea when my body would be dismembered. Many nights when I was sleeping, I was startled to wake up and could not see anything. I shouted, “Why is the light turned off?” I was really depressed. My life before was really good. I went to work every day. When I lost my vision, I stopped working. My life was tragic and I was being driven crazy.
When traveling a journey that used to only take 2 minutes on foot, the little man now feels ‘helpless’:
What I struggle with most is to walk with a plain wooden cane. Though it’s only 300 meters from Gao market to my home, dozens of motorbikes parked on the sidewalk fell over because of my misguided cane. At that time, I felt really bad. In addition, I often got my shoes stuck in drains. Years ago, drains were not as dry as they are now, so I had to change my shoes every three months.
Obstacles block his way when he steps out of his house.
The crisscrossing scars on his shins are the remains of his daily
commute to work and training center.
His shins were almost crushed because of colliding with motorcycles exhausts parked in the middle of the road. Therefore, as we meet blind people, the crisscrossing scars on their legs can tell stories. Those with many scars on their legs are the ones who go out quite often. Those who have no scars are the ones who couldn’t get out of their house, which is even worse.
In the capital city of Hanoi, in recent years pavements have been renovated to feature natural stones. There have also been wheelchairs-accessible pathways created specifically for people with disabilities.
Pavement encroachment by shops, stores and vehicles take places in many streets that feature natural stone pavements; from small, narrow sidewalks that can fit only some motorcycles as on the streets of Nguyen Du and Nguyen Binh Khiem, to wider ones that can fit some cars as on the streets of Tran Hung Dao and Ly Thuong Kiet.
Some urban districts of the capital have taken measures to restore order on the sidewalks and reclaim pavements for pedestrians. However, pathways exclusive for the disabled remains a distant dream.
In response to this fact, Mr. Dinh Dang Hai, Senior Project Officer of the Livable Cities Project of HealthbBridge Foundation of Canada, said.
Many infrastructures have been set up exclusively for the blind on the sidewalks in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. However, they have not been completed yet. Some tactile pavings either don’t lead to the crosswalks or lead straight to the electricity poles. Without ramp connection, the disabled couldn’t cross the road using ramps or pedestrian overpasses.
After months of being shocked and depressed, during which he had thought he would never be able to overcome, thanks to his family and friends, he has now regained balance and overcome his self-consciousness. He always tells himself that he has to live a meaningful life. My family is always by his side, supporting and loving him, no matter what.
My friends often came to see me, taking me out for breakfast, drinking coffee or beer. They also helped describe the surroundings, which help me a lot to get through that difficult time. My family is always by my side, supporting and loving me, no matter what”.
Putting all challenges behind him, with great determination Mr. Quy began to study the Braille alphabet and stay updated on modern technologies by using his senses of touch and hearing.
At the Blind Association in Hoan Kiem district, he was introduced to participate in training sessions on traffic access and navigation at the Training Center for Rehabilitation Officers for the Blind.
Additionally, he acquires new life skills by participating in conferences and seminars that focus on helping those suffering from disabilities.
Since joining the Blind Association, I try to learn as much as I can. First of all, I studied the Braille Alphabet by myself, and then the Blind Association’s officers encouraged me to study at the Youth Rehabilitation Center. Then I learned orientation and mobility. All of these experiences are needed for us to participate in social activities. Despite already being a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam, I was still required to study the Political Ideology course organized by the Blind Association. Without a strong mind, people will give up easily.
"Since we are blind, we have to improve our social exchange and interactions in order to be useful and help contribute to society.”
To keep up with the pace of society, he’s determined to attend skill training courses such as massage or spinal manipulative therapies under the projects for the blind and visually impaired to earn a living.
Every day, he receives dozens of massage clients. They are pleased with his skill and services. He offers free services to those who are also disabled or disadvantaged.
From a bright-eyed person to a blind person, Mr. Vo Quy thoroughly understands and can strongly relate directly the difficulties of the disabled.
He listens to the thoughts and wishes shared by the Association's members, encouraging them to join in social activities with the hope that they can be strong, resilient and more confident to face up with all the difficulties in their life
He hopes they can be strong, resilient and more confident as they face up to all the difficulties in life.
When I first came to the Blind Association, I saw many talented and well-educated members enthusiastically joining in the Association’s activities, and then I felt more motivated. When I come to see other people with visual impairments, I share with them my own story and how I overcame such a dark period in my life. Many young members are even more determined and dynamic.
Mr. Vo Quy's story is one shared by many Vietnamese people who suffer from vision impairments who have worked tirelessly to help contribute to a better society. However, if traffic barriers are removed then they can get closer to their dreams, becoming more useful and use their own efforts to make miracles happen.
People with disabilities hope that all policies, laws, regulations and Ministries related to construction issues and traffic accessibility will properly perform their duties and listen carefully to their voices. Laws must be fully implemented to avoid barriers. I firmly believe that if there are no impediments, then there are no true disabled people.