What began as an ordinary purchase grew into an extraordinary relationship, leading Nguyen Thuy Truc to leave her job and build a life with quadriplegic Nguyen Chanh Tin.
Despite the many challenges of being married to a quadriplegic man, Nguyen Thuy Truc from Vinh Long says she remains happy with her choice and has found a life where she can still have a world of her own.
From customer to life partner
In early 2019, Nguyen Thuy Truc, born in 1990 and living in Phu Tuc Commune, Vinh Long Province, happened to buy an item from Nguyen Chanh Tin, born in 1987 and from Gia Lai Province. Tin had been left quadriplegic following a traffic accident. What began as a simple interaction between a customer and a seller gradually turned into conversations, shared stories and, eventually, the realization that they saw life in much the same way.
Despite knowing that Chanh Tin was quadriplegic, Thuy Truc chose to build a life with him because of his extraordinary determination. Photo: NVCC
Truc knew about Tin’s condition from the beginning. What ultimately convinced her to build a life with him, however, was his extraordinary determination to overcome adversity and his outlook on life. After getting to know each other, in mid-2020 she left her office job and brought Tin to Ho Chi Minh City to live.
For the first three months, Truc stayed with Tin at the hospital while he underwent physical therapy. At the same time, she learned how to care for a person with paralysis. Having never cared for a patient before, she had to learn everything from turning him over and helping with personal hygiene to preparing meals and assisting him with his daily needs.
Tasks that might sound simple demanded enormous patience and sacrifice.
Looking back on their early days together, Truc said she had virtually no time left for herself because almost everything revolved around Tin. Each morning, she woke up early to prepare food, help him with physical therapy and oral hygiene, and feed him. While Tin worked, she would prepare lunch, do the laundry and keep track of when he needed to take his medication.
In the early days, Truc stayed with Tin at the hospital while he underwent physical therapy and she learned how to care for a person with paralysis. Photo: NVCC
According to Truc, Tin has a stomach condition, so his food has to be divided into several smaller meals. Between his main meals, he eats fruit or yogurt or drinks milk. Beyond preparing his food, she also has to bathe him, help with personal hygiene and regularly change his lying position to prevent pressure sores. Every few hours, she needs to help turn him onto his side.
“In the beginning, everything became overwhelming and I was almost always confined to the house. Sometimes I would leave Tin for only a few minutes before he called, and I had to rush back immediately. Caring for him took up nearly all my time, leaving almost no space for myself,” Truc said.
Teaching yoga while caring for her quadriplegic husband
In 2023, after a long journey overcoming opposition from both families, the couple finally married. Their life together gradually became more settled. Truc began organizing her work more efficiently, reducing the time required for caregiving so she could rest and pursue other activities.
Caring for her quadriplegic husband often leaves Truc with back pain as she has to bend over, lift and support him, and perform physically demanding tasks. Photo: NVCC
Caring for a quadriplegic person frequently left Truc with back pain because she had to bend over, lift and support her husband, and handle many physically demanding tasks. She began practicing yoga to stay healthy. Unexpectedly, yoga later opened up an entirely new path for her: becoming a yoga instructor.
Each day, after eating and exercising, Tin sells products online and writes books, while Truc uses the time to teach yoga. The work provides additional income while giving her the flexibility she needs to care for her husband.
“Because I care for someone in Tin’s condition, I cannot work for a company or stay away from home for long periods. Teaching yoga is the most suitable option because it allows me to remain close to him,” she said.
For Chanh Tin, his life partner Nguyen Thuy Truc is a remarkable gift that life has given him. Photo: NVCC
For Truc, the most difficult moments come whenever the couple has to travel long distances. In addition to clothes, she must carefully prepare all of her husband’s medication and necessary medical equipment.
Yet those journeys also bring Truc happiness. Watching audiences listen intently and then applaud as Tin shares his inspirational story helps ease her exhaustion. “I’m happy and proud of the person walking through life with me,” she said.
After around six years together since she brought Tin to Ho Chi Minh City, Truc acknowledges that life as the wife of a quadriplegic man comes with many hardships. What matters most to her, however, is that she remains happy and has never regretted her decision.
“Life comes with many difficulties, but I am content with the choice I made. Many people think I must feel restricted, but in reality, I’m still living happily and comfortably. I get to accompany my husband on many journeys while still having a world of my own,” Truc said.
For Tin, meanwhile, the greatest blessing in his life is not being known by many people. It is meeting Truc, the woman who chose to walk beside him through all the hardships they have faced.
Vietnamnet.vn
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