Five years ago, Thai Duy Duc (born 1991, from Tu Tra, Don Duong District, Lam Dong Province) became known for his story of caring for a quadriplegic friend while confined to a wheelchair himself. His resilience in the face of adversity and his compassionate spirit earned him widespread admiration.

Duc's life has been marked by significant challenges. He lost his father before he was two years old, leaving his mother to work various jobs to raise him and his sister. After his sister married and moved away, Duc became his mother’s sole support.

In 2015, while working on a glass bridge installation, Duc fell from a height, resulting in a spinal fracture and spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He lost all sensation from the waist down and could no longer control his bladder.

Initially encouraged by doctors, Duc believed he might recover. However, during rehabilitation, when his legs remained limp, he realized he was permanently disabled.

For the next two years, Duc struggled with severe depression. He cried every night, mourning the loss of his once-active life and the ability to stand on his own two feet. He thought, "My life will now be filled with tears."

With his mother's encouragement, Duc gradually regained his faith and hope. He began to leave his small room and venture out in his wheelchair.

Duc became involved in local disability associations, helping others in difficult circumstances. The more he encountered others’ suffering, the more he realized how fortunate he was, and he grew to love life even more.

Finding love amid adversity

In 2017, Duc met Bui Thi Chinh (born 1992, from Phu Tho) through a fateful connection.

That year, Chinh was going through a difficult time. In her despair, a friend showed her a video of Duc caring for his quadriplegic friend in the hospital.

Duc's kindness and determination inspired Chinh, and she reached out to him on Facebook, beginning a conversation that lasted for three months.

During their online chats, Chinh shared her struggles, and Duc was equally candid about his condition, including his paralysis, inability to control his bladder, and lack of sexual function.

Despite these challenges, they fell in love. True to his word, Duc flew from Lam Dong to Hanoi to meet Chinh. "The moment I saw him at Noi Bai Airport, I was deeply moved. I knew his love was genuine," Chinh said.

During their first meeting, Chinh helped Duc with his personal needs, and they quickly grew close, feeling as if they had known each other for a long time.

In their next meeting, Duc invited Chinh to Lam Dong to meet his mother. Chinh stayed for two months, during which their bond deepened.

However, Chinh’s family vehemently opposed their relationship. When Duc traveled to Phu Tho to ask for Chinh’s hand in marriage, her father refused to allow him into the house.

Undeterred, Chinh followed her heart. In November 2017, the couple married in Lam Dong without the presence of Chinh’s family.

It wasn’t until their first wedding anniversary, after Duc had proven he could bring happiness and a good life to Chinh, that her family finally accepted him, giving him a new sense of belonging.

A complete and happy marriage

In February 2023, after three rounds of IVF (in vitro fertilization), Duc and Chinh welcomed their first daughter. The child has brought their family closer, making their already happy marriage even more complete.

"From 2021 until our daughter was born, we lost count of the times we traveled from Lam Dong to Ho Chi Minh City for medical consultations and embryo transfers... Finally, our dream of having a child came true. Our daughter has brought us even closer," Chinh shared.

Aware of his limitations, Duc once suggested that Chinh seek a child outside their marriage, promising to love the child as his own.

But Chinh refused. She values monogamy and respects the love she shares with her husband. She made it clear that even if they couldn’t have children together, she would remain faithful to him for life.

Reflecting on her marriage, Chinh stated, "Marrying this man has made me happy. It's been seven years, and that happiness hasn’t changed."

To Chinh, no one is perfect, but she feels fortunate to have married a kind and understanding man. Whenever she feels troubled, Duc listens patiently and tries to cheer her up.

He often cooks for her, helps take care of their child, and does household chores. Despite his disability, Duc strives to be independent and not burden his wife.

Currently, Duc works with driftwood, creating bonsai displays. He diligently works from morning to night, earning money to provide for his family. Since marrying Duc, Chinh has never had to worry about their financial situation.

In addition to helping her husband with his work, Chinh also grows grass and raises dairy cows. Together, they work hard to ensure a good life for their child.

Speaking about their marriage without sexual intimacy, Chinh said, "Before I met Duc, I had never been in a relationship and didn’t think much about those things. After getting to know him and understanding his situation, I cared even less. All I need is for us to love, care for, and understand each other in our daily lives."

Since accepting his disability, Duc no longer feels ashamed of his physical limitations. However, he is deeply grateful to have found someone willing to overlook his shortcomings and build a life with him.

"Out of millions of women, only one was brave enough to be with me, to marry me, and love me. That’s Chinh. I know she’s sacrificed a lot, so I always try to work hard, care for her, and ensure she doesn’t have to worry about anything," Duc said.

Chinh also enjoys a close relationship with her mother-in-law, who treats her like a daughter, saving the best food for her and sharing life’s joys and sorrows.

The two women work together to care for the dairy cows, taking turns when one is tired. Chinh’s presence has not only brought happiness to Duc but also renewed hope for her mother-in-law, who once despaired seeing her son’s sadness after his accident.

"When I’m tired, my mother-in-law often tells me to rest, then brings food to my bedside. She takes care of me as if I were her own daughter," Chinh said.

Recently, Chinh’s mother-in-law has been battling cancer. The couple's greatest wish now is for her to recover and live long enough to enjoy life with her grandchildren.

Thanh Minh

Photos provided by the characters