Thom, born 2001, is one of over 100 orphans living at the Thanh An Bui Chu Orphanage in Nam Dinh. She was brought to the orphanage at age 2, paralyzed with shriveled limbs. Thanks to the nuns’ persistent efforts in massaging and rehabilitating her, her arms and legs can stretch out as they appear today.

At 24, she looks like a child, weighing less than 30 kilograms, with thin, atrophied arms and legs, unable to grasp or walk like others. Even sitting is impossible for Thom, and she moves using a homemade skateboard-like cart. Her daily activities rely entirely on others’ help.

“Sometimes, seeing friends run and play, I feel so sad. A flood of questions fills my mind, but it’s just a fleeting emotion. I don’t let myself dwell on those thoughts too long.

“Though I was born with an abnormal body, I still feel lucky to be loved by ‘Dad,’ the ‘sisters,’ and my siblings at the orphanage. Whenever my mood dips, everyone encourages me to look forward,” Thom confides.

Pham Thi Tuoi, in charge of the Thanh An  BuiChu Orphanage office, said the children raised here call Father Giuse Pham Ngoc Oanh “Dad” and the nuns “sisters” to feel closer and share more easily.

“From a young age, Thom was a good, very smart girl. Though confined to one spot, she always observed everything around her. Looking into Thom’s eyes, I believed she’d do something special,” Tuoi said.

When Thom turned six, Sister Tuoi began teaching her to write. At first, holding a pen was a huge challenge for her. Unable to use her hands, Thom gripped the pen with her mouth and started practicing with straight lines.

Lying prone on a mat, bending her head to write, she’d lift up with sore shoulders and a stiff neck, unable to move. Yet Thom never complained, practicing daily until she succeeded in writing with her mouth.

Thom excels at studying, especially in maths. Only tough problems require extra explanation from Sister Tuoi. Beyond writing, Thom began drawing and coloring.

At 10, Thom’s passion and talent for painting shone through, so she devoted more time to it. She started with simple flowers and houses. The more she drew, the deeper she fell in love. Sometimes, Thom got so absorbed in painting that she lost track of time, only realizing her mouth was numb and her neck aching when she set the brush down.

Over 10 years of persistent self-taught drawing and experimenting with ink, Thom progressed from basic sketches to landscapes with depth.

Dream of becoming an artist

For Thom, painting isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way to express her aspirations and resilience. She always dreams of going out, seeing the wide world. The rare times the “sisters” take her strolling or shopping for small items are precious moments.

2021 marked a turning point in Thom’s life. “That year, a doctor visited the orphanage for charity work. He saw my drawings, loved them, and took them to an exhibition. My artwork and story touched many hearts. Since then, people have occasionally encouraged me by ordering my paintings. I was overjoyed, feeling I could still live a useful life,” she said.

Recently, more people have learned of Thom’s talent. Some artists have visited the orphanage to teach her advanced techniques, opening a new horizon. From landscapes, Thom is now practicing portraits and hopes for formal training.

“I want to study painting and English. Since I was little, I’ve dreamed of becoming a real painter—not for fame, but to inspire others that, even with a flawed body, if you try, live positively, and keep moving forward, you can do everything,” she said.

With extraordinary determination, Thom has painted her life’s canvas brightly. Now, with a fierce will to live, she keeps drawing, learning, and persevering daily to reach her dream.

Thom has joined an art exhibition at the University of Fine Arts and is submitting works to the “The World Around Me” contest.

Beyond painting for herself, Thom hopes her paintings can inspire people around her. Though life cruelly took her legs and arms, it couldn’t extinguish the fire of passion within her.

Trong Tung