Vi (right) explains to her friend how to make paper quilling artworks.

Fiddly art forms that take patience are not for everyone, but one woman who has suffered paralysis from childhood finds a profound sense of achievement and pride in the painstaking art of paper quilling.

For Tran Thuy Tuong Vi life is a battle each and every day. But she knows that this struggle is important to change her life for the better. Her paralysed leg has caused her to miss many opportunities but patience has resulted in success.

This has surprised many people, but anyone who looks at her sophisticated and beautiful artworks, bookmarks and ear-rings made from colourful strips of paper find it hard to believe that they are created by a handicapped young woman. Paper quilling (see box) has finally brought joy to Vi.

Vi was born into a modest-income family in HCM City. Her leg was paralysed at age 3 during a high fever. Her twin sister suffered at the same time and lost an eye. Her parents – newly graduated – couldn't afford to send them to hospital.

After the misfortune, Vi was sent to the Centre of Rehabilitation for paralysed children in HCM City's district 3 until she was 10 years old. She could only come home once a week.

When she finished high school, she looked for a job.

"I got a job in the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, district 7. My parents said that we had to be self-reliant and feed ourselves," Vi said.

After working for four years, Vi registered for an evening course in computer graphics at HCM City Natural Sciences University. She then applied for the job of graphic artist for a company located in district 12, 15kms from her house. The salary was $125 a month. Her parents took her to the bus station each day.

"I worked there until my parents were too weak to drive a motorbike to take me to the bus station," she said.

She decided to change her life by studying Fine Arts at Hong Bang University.

"I am actually the oldest student at the university," said Vi.

It was there that her membership in the Creation Club brought her in contact with paper quilling.

"One day, the president of the club brought a picture made from paper quilling and I became quite interested in it from the beginning," Vi said.

"She suggested we form a group of people to learn how to do it."
 
Vi, who was normally very shy, volunteered to lead it.

"I didn't know anything about the art but I looked for information on the internet and among friends. I had to familiarise myself with the strange tools." The first picture was created and displayed to the admiration of many people.

Paper quilling artworks have become more and more popular in Viet Nam.

"I was highly encouraged by this success," confides Vi. "Moreover, the job is quite fit for handicapped people like me."

Vi can not forget the first time she sold her art work. It was a greeting card made of quilling paper that she sold for only VND30,000.

"I spent the whole day making the card and even though it not a big price, I was very happy."

Vi said quilling paper was not difficult but quillers needed passion, creativeness and patience.

"This art requires neatness and a lot of time," Vi said.

"I have begun teaching it to young people but many gave up after one lesson because it is too meticulous"

But to Vi the job is rewarding. She produces items of great beauty, including greeting cards, three-dimensional miniatures, pictures and even jewelry.

She has since created a group of handicapped quillers who sell their creations over the internet, at fairs and at Vi's house.

She keeps teaching the art to other handicapped people in the hope that one day they will enjoy life as much as her, despite its difficulties.

VNSS