Guest reader Posted September 4, 2020 Posted September 4, 2020 On my first visit to Bangkok 18 years ago, I recall regularly seeing a handicapped young man on upper Silom rd. He had no legs below the knees and no hands on either arm. He propelled himself on a roller board of the type mechanics use to work under cars. I'd put a 20-baht note in his cup and and we eventually managed to exchange a few words. He was strikingly handsome and had an infectious smile. I also saw him a few times on Saturdays when I visited Chatuchak Market. After my third trip I no longer ran into him but I still frequently think of him when I walk along that portion of Silom that is now a construction site where Robinson's used to be. When I spotted thew following article in the Vietnam news today, I immediately again thought of that young man. There's a lot of sad news out there these days but this is not one of them. From Vietnam News Student gives piggyback to friend for over 10 years Ngô Minh Hiếu carries his classmate Nguyễn Tất Minh on his back to school every day. — Photo: nld.com.vn by Khiếu Tư THANH HOÁ — Nguyễn Tất Minh was born without any legs, but fortunately he has a friend – a classmate – who gives him a piggy-back to and from school. Ngô Minh Hiếu has been Minh’s legs for the past ten years. With his friend’s assistance, Minh has never missed a single class. The story of the two teenagers has been widely shared on social media and received widespread media coverage, describing the friendship as “so inspiring and touching". Hiếu started carrying Minh to school when they were in second grade. Due to his disability, Minh faces a lot of difficulties. His father’s health is also bad while his mother struggles to make ends meet. This meant getting to school was always going to be difficult for him. Understand Minh’s desire to study and his strong determination, Hiếu decided to help him. Hiếu still remembers what he told his parents when he was only 7 years old. “I’ll carry Minh to school every day,” he recalled. His parents thought it was simply a childish impulse, but over the past ten years, Hiếu has become Minh’s legs. They play and learn together, helping each other improve. Minh said although they shared a lot of memories, there was one that left a deep impression. “I will never forget going to school together on a rainy day when we were in third grade. We fell together because the road was slippery.” The duo have finished 12th grade and both of them got good scores in the national high school exams. Hiếu got a score of 28.15 while Minh got 28.10. This was a joint effort that created the motivation for them to realise their dreams. “When I was in second grade, I felt sympathy for Minh and volunteered to carry him to school on my back. Minh give me more strength to accomplish what I want myself,” Hieu said. Continues at https://vietnamnews.vn/society/771908/student-gives-piggyback-to-friend-for-over-10-years.html Quote
