Help each other overcome the shock of illness

A place to support people in the same situation

When he was a third-year student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (now Hanoi University of Science and Technology), an unexpected accident occurred that caused Mr. Pham Xuan Thanh to suffer a thoracic spinal cord injury (TTTS), leading to paralysis of both legs, loss of personal hygiene, and many other consequences. He had to stop studying for three years for treatment.

Spinal cord injury greatly affects the health and life of patients.

Mr. Thanh recalls: "I went wherever people told me to treat my legs so I could walk normally. From traditional healers who promised to cure everything to stem cell transplants at hospitals and going abroad for treatment, I went through it all. The cost of treatment was so high that my family had to sell the house, but in the end it was unsuccessful and I was also psychologically affected."

Despite the difficulties, Thanh was determined to return to school to complete his university degree. After graduating, he took a scholarship exam and went to the US to study for a Master's degree in Business Administration. Admiring the determination of this disabled young man, a Vietnamese girl who was also an international student in the US fell in love with him. The two got married and had two children thanks to medical intervention.

The young man Pham Xuan Thanh of that day is now 51 years old, a businessman and Chairman of the Vietnam Spinal Injury Club.

Citing his own story, Mr. Pham Xuan Thanh acknowledged that his condition was incurable. However, in the past, there was no internet, so he had no way to find information, so he had to seek treatment at many places, which was very expensive.

From such cases, the Vietnam Spinal Injury Club was born. This is a place for people with similar conditions to exchange and share knowledge about health care and related legal information (such as social assistance, health insurance, etc.), helping each other overcome the initial shock as well as the deadlocks in life. The club has been operating for about 10 years, mainly connecting through social networks. On October 3, 2018, the Vietnam Spinal Injury Club was officially established, with legal status under the Vietnam Association of People with Disabilities. To date, the club has more than 1,000 members who are people with spinal injuries.

People with spinal cord injuries connect, support each other

With the contributions of members, especially sponsorship from some business members and the mobilization of philanthropists in society, the Vietnam Spinal Injury Club has established a Fund to buy anti-ulcer medicine for patients in difficult circumstances who cannot go to the hospital. In addition, the Club supports the means of livelihood for many people with difficult conditions. Thanks to that, people with spinal cord injuries who sell cotton swabs or lottery tickets on the street are given portable speakers or cushions to prevent ulcers. On average, every month the Club donates 10-15 laptops to people with spinal cord injuries who work at home. The Club also provides start-up capital for some people who quit their job as street lottery ticket sellers to return to their hometowns to build mushroom farms...

The club's president shared: "Our club is mainly for the elderly. There are still many people with spinal cord injuries who do not know about this club, especially young people. TTTS causes many sequelae and consequences that make them feel self-conscious and afraid to go out or contact anyone for help."

Effort is key, but...

Mr. Thanh affirmed that he has never considered himself disabled or a burden to society because he not only works normally but also helps many other people. Having suffered an accident that led to TTTS at a very young age, with almost nothing in his hands, Mr. Thanh always uses the two words "effort" to turn his life around.

However, putting himself in the situation of many TTTS people struggling to make a living, Mr. Thanh feels luckier because he still has the opportunity to study.

Mr. Thanh said that the majority of people with TTTS are of working age, so when an accident suddenly happens, they are shocked and self-conscious. According to him, people with TTTS are also disabled, but they have many differences from other types of disabilities: no sensation, often have pressure ulcers, and are not self-sufficient in personal hygiene, leading to many cases of urinary tract infections, cystitis, kidney stones, and kidney failure. Treatment for ulcers can last for several months or years, and some people have to have their legs amputated and even get blood infections that lead to death from ulcers... Mr. Thanh himself believes that the pain of spinal cord injury is special and persistent, and taking painkillers is ineffective.

Peer counselors at Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Rehabilitation and Occupational Disease Treatment guide patients with spinal cord injury and paraplegia to use wheelchairs in daily activities.

"The physiological function of people with spinal cord injuries is also reduced and lost, so family happiness is also affected. They have to spend a lot of money on treatment, and then if the family breaks up, it is extremely stressful. Therefore, after that double shock, some people want to forget this life," Mr. Thanh stated the reality.

In addition to the seemingly unbearable burning pain and muscle spasms, people with disabilities due to TTTS have to spend a lot of money on daily living expenses. In addition to wheelchairs and crutches, they also need support items such as catheters, mattresses, diapers, anti-ulcer ointments and personal medical equipment... Just for diapers (due to incontinence), they have to spend about 1 million VND/month/person.

The Executive Board of the Vietnam Spinal Injury Club said that people with TTTS often have paralyzed legs, some have quadriplegia, and need assistance with many activities. In addition, sitting for more than 3 hours without turning over can cause ulcers, making it very difficult for people with TTTS to find suitable jobs. Almost all of them rely on a small amount of subsidy and family support, making the situation even more difficult.

"I always encourage my brothers to strive to overcome difficulties. The club also donates and mobilizes to help members, but its capacity is limited. Therefore, we hope that the government and society will pay more attention and support the minimum costs for people with spinal cord injuries so that they can maintain their lives," said Pham Xuan Thanh, head of the Vietnam Spinal Injury Club.

"Doctor" at home guides rehabilitation

Dr. Phan Minh Hoang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Rehabilitation and Occupational Disease Treatment, said that the hospital has developed the Dr. Home application by providing health tests, instructions for physical therapy exercises, and home rehabilitation for patients. This application allows rehabilitation doctors and physical therapists to design home exercise programs suitable for each patient, provide indicators to assess the patient's recovery ability, create a communication channel between doctors and patients... Thereby, helping patients have the opportunity to recover to the maximum of their ability.
According to Dr. Phan Minh Hoang, applying digital technology is an extension of doctors' arms to reach patients, taking advantage of the "golden period" to promptly treat patients.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/sinh-ton-hau-chan-thuong-tuy-song-giup-nhau-vuot-cu-soc-benh-tat-185231021203843406.htm