Three Generations, Shared Vision

In 2025, we welcome many new students, each with their own unique journey. Among them is Hien, whose strength and determination, as detailed in a recent Dan Tri newspaper article, shine through even in the face of immense challenges. Blind from birth, Hien carries the responsibility of supporting a three-generation family in Hanoi, the majority of whom also live with visual impairment. Yet, it is the fading sight of her young daughter that weighs most heavily on this remarkable single mother.

Having been blind since birth, she is the main breadwinner in a household with three generations of visually impaired individuals. Shouldering countless worries, the single mother’s biggest concern right now is her 9-year-old daughter’s increasingly blurred vision.

The woman we are talking about is Le Thanh Hien (born 1987, residing in alley Thinh Hao 3, Hang Bot ward, Dong Da district, Hanoi). The small house, roughly 20 square meters, located at the end of a deep, dark alley, is home to a family of five spanning three generations, four of whom are visually impaired.

Rubbing her eyes, Hien recounted that she had been blind since birth, her surrounding world just a hazy fog. As her youth gradually passed, at the age of 29, Hien took a chance to have a child of her own, hoping for someone to rely on in the future.

But, tragically, little Le Thi Bao Dan (born 2016), the child she bore amidst much social criticism, was also born visually impaired like her mother.

Hien added that her younger brother and her father are also visually impaired. In 1990, her father unfortunately suffered a workplace accident that resulted in the loss of sight in one eye. By 2011, he had completely lost his vision due to complications from diabetes.

The only sighted person in the family is Vu Thi Hoa (born 1957, Hien’s mother). However, Ms. Hoa is elderly and frequently ill. Reluctantly, Hien has become the main breadwinner, working as a massage therapist for the blind. In months working at low-end studios, when she was healthy and works consistently, she earns about 3-4 million VND (approximately $120-$160 USD), but in months when she was sick, she earned nothing.

Hien’s income from her massage work is unstable. Therefore, all expenses for the five-person household mainly rely on social welfare allowances for the disabled and the meager worker’s pension of Hien’s parents. For many years, the family’s life has been extremely difficult, constantly living hand-to-mouth.

“If no one in the family is sick, then being frugal is enough to buy rice and pay for electricity and water. But in recent years, my parents’ health has declined; they take more medicine each day than they eat rice.

So, I always have to rack my brain to figure out what we’ll eat for dinner after having rice for breakfast, and what we’ll eat the day after tomorrow…”, Hien said before silently shedding tears.

Holding little Bao Dan in her arms, Hien choked up, “This child is a gift from heaven to me. Her eyes are weak, but with glasses, she can still go to school. She is eager to learn, and I am so happy!

The doctor said she has retinal detachment and has to go to the hospital every month for check-ups and treatment. This year, she said her eyes are blurrier; even sitting at the front desk, she can’t see the board clearly anymore. I am very worried, but I don’t know what to do,” the single mother covered her face with both hands, her thin shoulders shaking intermittently with sobs.

Ms. Vu Thi Thanh Binh, the head of residential group number 6, Hang Bot ward, Dong Da district, Hanoi, could not hide her emotion when speaking about Hien’s family’s situation:

“This is one of the most difficult circumstances in the neighborhood, even though for many years, the community, the residential group, the ward, and social organizations have always cared for and supported them.

Hien is blind and weak, but she is very resilient. Hien is the pillar of a family of five who are blind, sick, and ailing.”