Day 3 Cao Loc

I am a day behind in writing. It was a long day yesterday and I couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to write. Let me go back to yesterday to catch up.

We split into 2 groups today. One group went to Loc Binh district and my group went to Cao Loc district to deliver wheelchairs to recipient's home. The locations were close to Lang Son, where we are staying. Here is a picture of our hotel and our FWM group:

Vi's Boutique Hotel

Our FWM Team

Our first wheelchair recipient was Cao. Cao is 61 years old. He is a farmer. All of the people we have met are farmers. Their crops are mostly rice, but also some vegetables. In 2002, Cao fell over backward while he was
tending his rice fields and suffered a serious injury to his spinal cord. Doctors tried to help him with medicines but he didn't get better. After leaving the hospital he has spent most of his time in bed. His wife, Chien, needs to help him bathe and take care of him in general. When Cao got a little stronger he was able to use a cane sometimes but he is afraid of falling down because he is not that strong and the his environment is difficult to navigate.

Cao and Chien live with Chien's mother. Cao and Chien both dropped out of school in the 6th grade to raise and support their family. They have 6 children and 7 grandchildren, 5 from Cao's side and 2 from Chien's side, who live nearby. We learned that in Vietnam grandchildren are from the grandfather's side of the family when they are children of the grandparent's sons and they are from the grandmother's side of the family when they are children of the grandparent's daughters. Cao looks forward to being able to visit his children and grandchildren now.

Cao is also looking forward to visiting his friends and attending monthly party meetings in his hamlet. Prior to his injury he attended political party meetings every month. Cao applied for a wheelchair 2 years ago as it became increasingly difficult for his wife to care for him. He has not been able to get around to do these simple things that he used to enjoy. He expressed his gratitude and joy to regain some mobility without fear of falling down. He says with a smile. "Now I will be able to sunbathe."

Me with Cao and Chien

Cao, Chien, Chien's Mother, and their oldest daugher

The rice field by their house