An electric shock accident in grade 8 turned Ly Lao Lo’s life onto a “turning point” full of cruelty, leaving both his arms disabled.
Meeting the student from the Faculty of Management Science at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi just as the afternoon classes ended, we were struck by his tall, thin appearance, but his eyes always shone with optimistic faith. With his friendly face and the smile that was always on his lips, few would think that Ly Lao Lo’s childhood had gone through so much misfortune and hardship.
Full name: Ly Lao Lo
Born: 1987
Hometown: Bat Xat, Lao Cai
Second-year student, Faculty of Management Science, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi
Interests: Photography, football, volleyball…
Cycling 22 km to school with his disabled arms
Ly Lao Lo, the student with a disability
Ly Lao Lo was born into a poor farming family in Bat Xat District, Lao Cai Province. Growing up amid the vast mountains and forests like other children, it seemed Lo’s life would be peaceful, with all his elderly parents’ dreams and hopes placed in him. But fate tested Lo harshly.
During a work session at his boarding school, he was struck by high-voltage electricity while carrying a zinc water pipe across the schoolyard. That accident turned Lo’s life onto a “turning point” full of irony and mounting misfortune. Both his arms became necrotic, and the blood vessels and tendons could no longer function. Lo was diagnosed with a ruptured aorta and an infected wound. To save his life, doctors had to amputate both of Lo’s arms. After more than four months in hospital fighting for his life, the young man recovered.
For three years he battled adversity and difficulty as he began to learn to do everything with his clumsy, awkward feet, until Lo resolved to return to school. He practised writing his scrawled letters again with his disabled arms. At first everything seemed difficult. After a year of practice, Lo could use the remaining parts of his arms to grip a pen tightly and write proficiently.
Every day, Lo persistently cycled 22 kilometres to school along steep, precarious mountain roads. The slopes were slippery, and even able-bodied people found cycling difficult, yet the young man who had lost both arms did not falter. Not only that, besides his studies, Lo also helped his parents with small household chores and farm work.
With a smile on his lips, Lo said: “The difficulties are too many to tell, but the harder they are, the more I must overcome them. When I succeed, I feel immensely joyful, and I gain more strength to conquer the next challenge”.
In 2012, Lo was admitted by special recruitment to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi, Faculty of Management Science.
Lo has always been a shining example for his classmates
A love of sport, a passion for photography
Born in a poor rural area of Lao Cai Province, Lo is aware that life for local people is still very difficult, especially as awareness remains quite backward. Lo wants to bring literacy and what he has learned at university back home to help change his homeland. “First, I want to overcome myself, and later return to my homeland to help local people change their awareness and help my homeland escape poverty” – Lo confided.
It seems the impairments on his body do not make Lo feel inferior; on the contrary, he is always cheerful and active. The special first-year student is particularly keen on sport. Lo said: “I really like sport. I can play football, basketball and volleyball normally”. The second-year student also actively takes part in a number of programmes for people with disabilities.
Another burning passion of Lo’s is photography. The obstacles from his arms could not stop Lo from pursuing his hobby. He can perform photography operations very flexibly and proficiently. For him, each photograph is a piece of the puzzle recording moments of life’s colourful picture. Lo shared: “Each time I take a photo, I have a special feeling. I want to record memories of life with close friends and teachers here…”.
Saying goodbye to us, Lo continued on to his evening class. Under the pale yellow lamplight, the eyes of the student without arms still shone with optimism towards the future. We believe his dream will soon come true.
Lo can do all his personal activities by himself
Photography is a hobby of this young man
Thanh Huyen – http://www.baodatviet.vn