The wounded soldier reconnects "broken" lives

From pain to desire to heal

In a small workshop nestled in Goc De alley (Minh Khai ward, Hoang Mai district, Hanoi), the sound of forging and cutting machines resounds like a melody of life. There, we meet a thin man, bright eyes hidden behind a pair of white glasses, diligently bending each thermoplastic bar. He is Le Thanh Do - the man who has spent 20 years creating new arms and legs to help "heal" the lives of the less fortunate.

The idea of ​​helping those in the same situation came from Mr. Do’s own profound experiences during the resistance war. As a war invalid, he understood the suffering and inconvenience of missing a body part. Later, when he was given the opportunity to change careers, he decided to pursue medicine, with the desire to treat his comrades and the less fortunate.

During his time working at the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Mr. Do witnessed more and more difficult situations of people who had to live without their arms and legs. “Having been hospitalized three times, I know what they need: Not only legs, but also faith to live,” he mused.

At the age of 80, Mr. Le Thanh Do is still working hard.

The big turning point came when Mr. Do was sent to do a 6-month internship in the Netherlands. Here, he learned modern orthopedic techniques, and better understood semi-finished materials and the structure of each body part. That knowledge not only became valuable baggage, but also motivated him to start a business, with the idea of ​​establishing a workshop to produce prosthetic legs and arms for the disabled.

In 2004, a year before his retirement, he took advantage of his family's apartment building to start building the workshop. The early days were extremely difficult due to limited resources, and accessing high-quality equipment, machinery and specialized materials, especially imported goods, was not easy. He said: "At that time, I had to utilize all resources, even asking for help from my colleagues at state-owned workshops to get materials. But I always kept in mind that, no matter how difficult it was, I had to make products to prove to sponsors my ability."

Once the workshop was established, he approached his students, orthopedic technicians trained in a joint project between the University of Social Work and Germany, where he was a lecturer and deputy project manager. He convinced them to join hands to realize this humanitarian dream.

In 2005, the workshop officially started operating. In 2006, an American expert came to Vietnam for work and learned about this small but meaningful private workshop. After visiting and witnessing the practical effectiveness of the workshop, he decided to support part of the cost. Thanks to that help, the workshop's equipment was increasingly improved, better meeting the needs of production. He also contacted experts and acquaintances for advice and support. They helped him connect with potential sponsors.

Meaningful Journey: The Smile of a Person Regaining His Footsteps

  Every year, Mr. Do's workshop undertakes a large project, lasting from April, May to December. The process begins when he receives information about patients needing support from disabled people's associations, then makes a detailed estimate, from the initial examination costs, medical records, to production materials and labor costs. He then sends the documents to sponsors for approval, mainly the Thien Tam Fund guaranteed by VinGroup, with contributions from philanthropists and international experts.

Once official approval was received, the manufacturing phase began. Every batch, a few dozen cases were approved, and he would start working, tirelessly until the end of the year. All information about the patients was carefully stored by him for easy comparison later.

Mr. Le Thanh Do works tirelessly every day making prosthetic legs and arms for the disabled.

Mr. Do always believes that solid professional knowledge of materials and product structure is the foundation for creating quality prosthetic legs and arms. To run the workshop effectively, Mr. Do not only updates his professional knowledge, but also improves his management skills, foreign language communication ability and knowledge of information technology. That not only helps him connect with domestic and foreign experts and sponsors, but also serves as a bridge for him to convey information to patients in an easy-to-understand way about the equipment they are about to use.

Behind each product is a life story, the many feelings of the disabled. Mr. Do told of a case that he will always remember: “I still remember a patient in Thuong Tin who lost both legs. After we helped her install prosthetic legs, she was able to work to support herself and her family by raising livestock and producing handicrafts for export abroad. Those things are the biggest motivation for me to continue this work.”

Every patient who comes to Mr. Do's workshop experiences a miraculous revival, not only of a part of the body, but also of faith and confidence when they no longer have to feel inferior about being an economic burden to their family and society.

Behind each product is a story that "reconnects" hope for people with disabilities.

Mr. Le Thanh Do is a testament to the spirit of a Ho Chi Minh soldier, whether in wartime or peacetime, always dedicating himself to the country and the community. From a sapper soldier participating in the mine clearance in the Ham Rong bridge area (Thanh Hoa) in the past, to a devoted teacher and now a companion of thousands of disabled patients, Mr. Do has written a beautiful story about the will to live, compassion and the desire to contribute.

Looking back on the past, Mr. Do does not call it a successful career, but simply a meaningful journey, because according to him: "That meaning is measured by the smiles of those who have found their footing again..." That simple confession contains many concerns, hopes and wishes to share. Despite the late nights of work, financial worries or obstacles in transactions, the simple happiness of seeing patients smile, of witnessing them confidently walking on new legs, has become a priceless spiritual reward, giving him strength on this journey.

Saying goodbye, Mr. Do saw us to the door. The afternoon sunlight shone through the window, casting the shadow of the old worker on the wall stained with the color of time. There, the pieces of life that seemed to have been "broken" were now being mended, to shine in their own way...

THUY HIEN - PHUONG NHI

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-16/nguoi-thuong-binh-noi-lai-nhung-cuoc-doi-da-gay-822738