When Nguyen Ba Ky rolled into his wedding in a reclining wheelchair, guests wept - not out of pity, but in awe of his unshakable will and the woman who chose him.
A life turned by tragedy, lifted by will
Nguyen Ba Ky, born in 1990 in Vinh Loc ward, Nghe An, has a life story that many describe as a modern-day fairy tale. From devastating illness and near-total paralysis, he climbed back toward life, driven by love for his mother - and, eventually, by love itself.
Ky was born into a poor family in the former Nghi Phong commune. At 12, he began experiencing excruciating joint pain. Doctors diagnosed him with polyarthritis.
Despite years of treatment, his condition deteriorated. Ky became almost completely paralyzed, with only three fingers on his left hand capable of movement. Even his head could turn only in one direction.
"While I was in the hospital, my father suddenly passed away from a heart attack,” he said. “Seeing his photo at the funeral crushed me. After that, my mother had to raise me and my sister alone."
Forced to drop out of school, Ky spent his days lying motionless on a small wheeled bed. Every basic need depended on his mother.
As he grew older, he sank into despair. At 17, he attempted suicide, but was saved just in time.
“My mother cried and said, ‘I live because of you. So you must live because of me.’ That moment changed everything,” Ky said.
Determined to not merely exist but truly live, Ky clung to a sliver of hope. A generous donor gave him a desktop computer. That gift became his window to the world - and to his future.
He began teaching himself to make music CDs, edit videos, design websites. Bit by bit, skill by skill, he gained confidence and freelance work. Income trickled in. Life improved.
“My mother and I began to see better days. That gave me the strength to keep going.”
A love story too rare to be fiction
In 2011, while managing a web forum for people with disabilities, Ky met Phan Thi Nga, also born in 1990 and living in Ha Tinh. She would later become his wife.
Ky never imagined he’d fall in love. But then came Nga - a university student in Hanoi who reached out after seeing his photo on the site.
“I’d listed my phone number on the forum, so I got lots of calls and messages. But Nga reached out more often than anyone,” Ky said.
Nga herself was born with a disability - an underdeveloped left arm and a weakened right leg. She moved freely, but her life had not been without challenges. Perhaps that’s why she felt such a deep connection.
What began as friendly chats evolved into affection. A few months later, Ky confessed his feelings. Nga said yes.
Late that year, she took an overnight bus from Hanoi to Nghe An to visit him. It was their first time meeting in person.
“She was stunned to see how severe my condition was. But instead of pulling away, she cared for me even more,” Ky recalled.
For two days, she tended to his every need - feeding him, helping with hygiene, everything Ky’s mother usually did. Ky was overwhelmed.
“My mother was overjoyed. She couldn’t believe someone so kind would care about me. Even our neighbors came over to see this incredible girl.”
Their bond deepened. Nga made regular trips to visit him. One day, Ky spoke plainly: “Marrying me means a hard life. I won’t be able to make it easy for you.”
His mother added gently, “You need to think carefully. Life with Ky won’t be simple.”
Nga answered, “Don’t worry. I’m ready to try.”
“Out of so many people, she chose me,” Ky said. “There are countless women in Vietnam, but someone who’s willing to sacrifice for love like she has - that’s rare.”
Fighting for love
They got married in 2012.The couple.Ky's family. Photos courtesy of Nguyen Ba Ky.
Nga’s parents strongly opposed the relationship. They tried to persuade her, warn her, beg her to reconsider. Still, she insisted.
At one point, she even considered getting pregnant just to force their hand.
Eventually, her father and a few uncles came to meet Ky in person. His father asked one question: “Can you have children?”
“I told him that I was born healthy and only fell ill at 12. I’m still a man, like anyone else,” Ky said.
“That’s all I needed to hear,” her father said. “I will give her to you.”
“To this day, I respect and thank him deeply for that,” Ky said.
The wedding took place in 2012. Because of his limited mobility, relatives handled all the traditional customs on his behalf. When Nga arrived in Nghe An, Ky met her at the edge of the village.
That was the first time most of her relatives saw him.
“When they saw me lying in my wheelchair, many of them cried. They understood what we were committing to,” Ky recalled.
“The wedding was packed. Everyone cried - for joy and for how much we had to overcome.”
Fourteen years, three kids, one extraordinary marriage
Today, Ky and Nga have been married for 14 years. They have three children: two daughters aged 13 and 11, and a 6-year-old son.
Ky has devoted himself to supporting the family financially. Nga does everything else - caring for him, raising the kids, running the household. And through it all, she’s never once complained.
“We’ve had disagreements, like any couple. But we never shout. If there’s an issue, we talk it out and move on. I’m blunt by nature, but Nga is gentle and steady. She brings peace to our home.”
Thanks to their efforts, the family now lives in a comfortable, fully equipped house. Their children are thriving.
“Sometimes I look around and feel like I’m dreaming,” Ky said.
“But it’s not luck. It’s the result of years of struggle and resilience. I’m proud of myself - and forever grateful for my wife’s love.”
Vietnamnet.vn
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