Disabled male student wins a series of international math and computer science medals

Le Khanh Hai's achievement report for the 2023-2024 school year highlights math and computer science awards.

I won the Silver prize in the national round, the Bronze prize in the international round of the HKICO Informatics Olympiad 2023; the Silver prize in the national round of the FMO Math Olympiad 2023; the Silver prize in the national round and the Bronze prize in the international round of the TIMO Math Olympiad 2024.

Hai also achieved the title of excellent student with 7/8 subjects assessed by scores with an average score of over 9.0 for the whole year. Of which, IT achieved 9.4.

I am one of more than 800 outstanding students of the capital honored on May 22 in Hanoi.

The difference is, Le Khanh Hai is a disabled student.

Le Khanh Hai with IT awards (Photo: NVCC).

With congenital hypotonia, Hai has difficulty walking and moving, has difficulty holding things with his left hand, has difficulty speaking, swallowing, and has difficulty controlling and taking care of his own hygiene.

From the age of 6 months, Hai had to get used to acupuncture needles. For 13 years, he underwent many treatments using many different methods, some of which were extremely painful.

Ms. Tran Hanh Nhan - Hai's mother - said that when Hai was treated 2 years ago in Phu Tho, she did not dare to go with him and let her husband go. She was afraid that she would not be able to survive when she saw the technician treating her son.

As for Hai, since he was 2-3 years old, he actively cooperated with doctors as if he knew exactly what he needed to do.

When the pain was too much, Hai burst into tears but never resisted or ran away from the acupuncture bed or physical therapy room.

At the age of 6, Hai went to first grade at Xa Dan Secondary School. His house was only a few hundred meters from the school, but for Hai it was a difficult road. He had countless falls on that short road. Fortunately, Hai always received support from friends and teachers when he entered the school gate.

Le Khanh Hai on the opening day of the 2023-2024 school year (Photo: NVCC).

"I remember the first days of school, I couldn't walk steadily. If my friends touched me lightly, I would fall. Going up and down stairs was also very difficult for me, especially when I had to carry a big heavy backpack on my back.

Almost every day during my first years of primary school, my homeroom teacher, Ms. Lien, or one of my classmates carried my backpack for me.

"I had difficulty with personal hygiene, so I was very scared in first grade. The teacher always "sent" someone to follow me because she was worried that I would fall. Although I was a bit embarrassed, I was extremely touched by the care and help from the teacher and my friends," Hai shared.

Compensating for his physical disabilities, Hai studies well, is sociable, open-minded and loves participating in extracurricular activities.

During his five years of primary school, Hai was awarded the title of student who excelled in his studies and training. He won prizes in many online math, computer science, and programming competitions. Hai was also never absent from school and class activities, especially in campaigns for important positions.

In the 2023-2024 school year, Hai became a member of the School Board through public election.

However, Hai admitted that he was not a diligent student and did not have high determination in studying.

"Sometimes I rely on my ability to memorize and quickly learn lessons, but only study when the time is right, not setting more challenging goals. I am trying to adjust myself to be more diligent, persistent, and disciplined because I am about to enter the pivotal year of middle school," Hai said.

Sharing with Dan Tri reporter, teacher Pham Van Hoan - Principal of Xa Dan Secondary School - said: "In addition to his excellent academic achievements, my impression of Hai is that although he has difficulty with movement, he is very agile, active and friendly.

He has a good reading voice and is often in charge of communications during flag salute ceremonies.

Mr. Hoan added that in an environment where most of the students are disabled, the quality of teaching and learning is the top priority for teachers because it is the door for students to step firmly into life.

Le Khanh Hai and teacher Pham Van Hoan (Photo: NVCC).

"To help children not be self-conscious about their disabilities and study well, helping them to be happy and confident is extremely important.

The school regularly organizes experiential activities and creates playgrounds for students. Activities and games are designed appropriately and delicately so that both normal and disabled students feel happy.

For example, in competitive competitions, teachers always pay attention to every detail in the rules and gameplay so that whoever wins feels worthy and proud, without feeling like they are being given in or being unfairly treated.

Through these activities, normal students and disabled students become close to each other and actively help each other.

Not only do normal students help disabled students, but disabled students also help normal students in many areas," Mr. Hoan shared.

"Thanks to studying at Xa Dan school, I have never felt unhappy or disadvantaged because I am disabled," Le Khanh Hai continued Mr. Hoan's words.

Hai's short-term goal is to pass the 10th grade public school entrance exam. His longer-term goal is to pass the Pedagogical University entrance exam and fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher.

In his entry for the 2024 Reading Culture Ambassador contest, Le Khanh Hai wrote:

"God created us, not everyone can be perfect. Some of you can't hear the birds singing, some of you can't see the sunlight, some of you can't put your feet on the ground to take a normal step.

But no matter what, we can feel life with a loving heart. We can work with our intelligence and brain.

As long as we try our best, we will definitely succeed in our own way, to prove that "disabled but not useless".

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nam-sinh-khuet-tat-gianh-hang-loat-huy-chuong-toan-tin-hoc-quoc-te-20240521235122663.htm